Real Oviedo chief David Fernandez has been speaking amid interest from Celtic in one of his star players, Haissem Hassan. The Bhoys are pushing to land a new winger this summer, and Egypt World Cup star Hassan appears to have been earmarked as the guy.
Hassan dazzled in North America this summer after a difficult season at Oviedo, with the Asturias side having been relegated in their first season back in the top flight. But unlike the majority of sides in the top leagues, Oviedo did not overspend on their way to the top flight, so they do not find themselves in a position where they need to sell this summer.
Oviedo chief explains current stance
There has been talk that Celtic are willing to offer around £5.5million this summer, but Oviedo will want more, especially with the presence of a £10.2million release clause that they are welcome to demand full value of. Oviedo will owe some of the transfer fee to Hassan's old club, Villarreal, who hold a sell-on clause in the deal.
"We are prepared for anything that might happen," Fernandez has told local reporters. "We already have a significant portion of the squad with us. This is all a club decision.
"We’re going to try to keep the best players and let go of those who need to leave." He added:
"Everything that happens makes us activate or deactivate things. Everything that happens is part of the job."
Hassan reports back for Oviedo training on Wednesday having been given extra time off due to his World Cup efforts, which saw him and his Egypt teammates reach the Round of 16, ultimately losing to finalists Argentina following a late comeback.
Celtic will be hoping to turn Hassan's head with the potential promise of Champions League football, and likely with a pay rise along the way. There is also said to be interest from other clubs, though, including in Saudi Arabia.
But any deal is going to come down to how much Oviedo actually ask for, and indeed whether Celtic are willing to meet that value having just spent £11million plus add-ons on striker Kasper Hogh.
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