A club chief has issued an update on a reported Celtic target as the Bhoys begin to ramp up their summer business.
It took an age for Celtic to get up and running in the window, but they are now off the mark, snapping up Qarabag striker Camilo Duran on a £5.5million deal. But Martin O'Neill wants many more new signings, and we are likely to see a flurry of business over the next few weeks.
O'Neill will want the majority of his signings to be in place for the start of the new season, and we are now well under a month until that point.
Club chief issues Haissem Hassan update
Celtic have been linked with a move for Real Oviedo winger Haissem Hassan this summer, with the winger potentially on the move after the Asturias side were relegated from LaLiga at the first time of asking.
The 24-year-old provided three assists for Oviedo last season and was largely regarded as a standout player. He also impressed for Egypt at the World Cup this summer, including a fine performance in their Round of 16 defeat to Argentina.
It was reported this summer that Celtic had put a lowball offer in for Hassan, and that it was swiftly rejected. COPE now say Oviedo are asking for the full £10million release clause to sell.
That is, in part, because Villarreal, who sold Hassan to Oviedo, still hold a significant percentage of the player's rights, something that has not been mentioned regularly elsewhere.
That means the Yellow Submarine will pocket a large chunk of the £10million should a club decide to pay it. In the meantime, Oviedo chief David Fernandez has addressed the situation.
He said: "One of the main reasons I came was to interact with the ownership. I've been involved in every decision that's been made.
"Haissem Hassan is owned by Oviedo. We will have a firm policy for bringing in players and managing departures."
The Celtic Bhoys verdict
Celtic have money to spend this summer, but a £10million signing would be a big statement. O'Neill could do with another winger, and Hassan has the pacey approach the veteran boss will like.
It's not out of the question that Celtic pay £10million, and especially considering the player is only 24. It's no secret the Bhoys like to invest in players they can sell on when they reach their prime.
But we might have to wait until Daizen Maeda is sold before we see such a bold investment.
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