Celtic Push Hassan Deal as Villarreal Cut Shapes Fee

Celtic remain confident they can sign Real Oviedo and Egypt winger Haissem Hassan for less than his release clause this summer, sources have told Football Insider. The 24-year-old’s World Cup displays for Egypt have drawn suitors, yet Oviedo’s relegation and a heavy sell-on clause reshape every offer.

An opening bid around £3.4 million (€4 million) was rejected. Celtic have since tabled an improved package and still expect a deal below the headline figure before the window closes.

The Opening Bid Celtic Saw Rejected

Reports in Spain and Egypt placed Celtic’s first offer near €4 million in early July. Real Oviedo turned it down at once and pointed clubs toward the release clause, variously listed near £10 million or €12 million after the drop from a previous £16 million level tied to La Liga status.

Football Transfers later detailed a huge second bid after €4m rejection. Exact figures on the new package stay undisclosed. Egyptian outlet Al Gomhuria called it substantial.

A Sky Sports enquiry confirmed by Anthony Joseph underlined Celtic’s interest after Hassan’s tournament run. Talks on a four-year personal contract have advanced in some reports, with fee and add-ons still under discussion.

• Celtic: rejected €4m opener, improved “huge” bid lodged
• Trabzonspor and Marseille: previously linked
• Saudi clubs and Al Ahly: wage competition noted
• Lens: later €7.5m interest reported in Egyptian media

Martin O’Neill wants attacking options quickly for Champions League qualifiers. Kelechi Iheanacho’s exit to Bursaspor sharpened the need.

World Cup Run Forced Oviedo’s Hand

Hassan, born in Paris to an Egyptian father and Tunisian mother, switched allegiance to Egypt in 2026. He missed early group games over paperwork then debuted as a substitute in the round-of-32 win over Australia on penalties.

He started the round-of-16 clash with Argentina. A surging right-wing run set up Mostafa Ziko for a goal later disallowed; another assist helped Egypt lead 2-0 before a 3-2 defeat. One observer called the disallowed move “straight out of the Messi playbook.”

Honestly it’s incredible, because you know that in Egypt there are 120 million people you’ve made happy today.

Hassan said that after the Australia win. The exposure turned a Segunda-bound winger into a transfer target overnight, even though he scored just four league goals in 76 appearances for Oviedo.

His profile now sits alongside another World Cup breakout that rewrote a career in the same tournament.

Oviedo Hold the Line on Ownership

New sporting director David Fernandez made the club’s stance plain at his unveiling. Hassan is owned by Oviedo. Departures will follow club policy, not outside pressure.

“We are here to make the best sporting decisions and have the best possible team. I don’t control the financial aspects,” Fernandez said. “We want the best players, but the market will determine when we finalise the squad.”

He later acknowledged a hefty offer could force a decision. Relegation already cut the release clause. The final year of Hassan’s three-year deal, signed in August 2024 and running to June 2027, adds leverage for the player and his agent.

Oviedo need funds to rebuild in the second tier. Selling their standout asset on weak terms stings after the World Cup spotlight arrived too late to save their top-flight place.

Villarreal Still Collects 40 Percent

The hidden number that changes every calculation is Villarreal’s sell-on. When Hassan moved to Oviedo in 2024 the Yellow Submarine retained 40 percent of any future fee.

That means 40 percent sell-on leaves Oviedo 60 cents on every euro received. A low bid looks even thinner once the cut is taken.

For a relegated club the net figure, not the headline, decides whether the sale funds a rebuild. Celtic’s early low offer never cleared that bar. Later packages must.

Transfermarkt lists Hassan’s €8 million market value and 2027 contract as of late July. The World Cup bump and club need still leave room below the full clause if both sides move.

Celtic Chase Pace for Qualifiers

O’Neill inherited a squad that won a domestic double yet laboured. Early summer business brought Colombian forward Camilo Duran for €5.5 million. Kasper Hogh has since arrived. Hassan would add directness and dribbling on the right.

Style notes from scouts place him high for progressive carries and successful take-ons among wingers. Goalscoring remains the open question after a low return in Spain.

Stats snapshot

• Age / height: 24 (born 8 February 2002), 1.75-1.78 m, left-footed right winger
• Club form: 76 apps, 4 goals for Oviedo after loans at Mirandés and Sporting Gijón
• International: 6 caps, 0 goals for Egypt; key assist vs Argentina
• Path: France U17 (2019 World Cup bronze), Châteauroux, Villarreal system, Oviedo 2024

Champions League qualifying looms. A quick arrival would give O’Neill another option for European nights and the Premiership title defence.

Rivals and the Final Stretch

Trabzonspor, Marseille and Saudi sides have circled. Al Ahly could offer higher wages. Some reports claim personal terms with Celtic are agreed and only the fee remains. Others warn of bonus disputes or agents using Glasgow interest to improve offers elsewhere.

Crowd talk on X reflects the split: excitement at the World Cup electricity mixed with caution over four league goals. One strand sees the deal close; another frets Celtic are a bargaining chip.

Oviedo will sell before the window ends if the net number works. Celtic still believe they can finish under the clause. The Villarreal cut keeps the price from collapsing entirely.

Hassan’s next club will inherit a player whose stock rose in two weeks of tournament football after years of Spanish second-tier graft. Whether Glasgow becomes home depends on how far Celtic stretch to clear Oviedo’s real, post-cut floor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Haissem Hassan?

Haissem Yousry Fouad A. Hassan is a 24-year-old right winger born in Paris who chose Egypt over France at senior level in 2026. He came through Paris FC and Châteauroux, spent time at Villarreal and loans in Segunda, then joined Real Oviedo permanently in August 2024 on a deal to 2027.

What is Haissem Hassan’s release clause?

After Oviedo’s relegation the clause fell from a previous £16 million level to around £10 million (€10-12 million depending on reporting). Clubs are being directed toward that figure even as negotiations continue below it.

Why are Celtic interested in Hassan now?

His dribbling and progressive carrying stood out for Egypt at the 2026 World Cup, especially against Argentina. Celtic need wide attackers after domestic success but European struggles, and O’Neill wants bodies before Champions League qualifiers.

How much of any fee does Villarreal receive?

Villarreal retained a 40 percent sell-on from the 2024 transfer to Oviedo. That leaves the Spanish second-tier club with roughly 60 percent of the headline fee for squad rebuilding.

Did Hassan score for Egypt at the World Cup?

No goals in his appearances, but he registered a memorable assist in the 3-2 round-of-16 loss to Argentina after an earlier contribution that was disallowed. He also featured in the penalty win over Australia.