Celtic are monitoring Egyptian winger Haissem Hassan closely, with his release clause having dropped significantly following Real Oviedo’s relegation from La Liga.
Hassan’s exit fee has fallen from £16 million to £10 million, triggered automatically by a clause in his contract that reduces the figure if Oviedo were relegated from Spain’s top flight.
However, it is understood that Real Oviedo would be willing to do business well below even that reduced figure, with a fee of around £4 million thought to be sufficient to secure the winger’s services.
Celtic are not alone in their pursuit of Hassan, with clubs from Saudi Arabia also understood to be weighing up a potential move for the 26-year-old.
Both Celtic and other interested parties are fully aware that Spanish clubs routinely insert inflated release clauses, with actual transfer fees typically falling well short of the official asking price.
Adding complexity to any deal is a sell-on clause that requires Oviedo to hand over 40 per cent of any transfer fee to Hassan’s former club Villarreal, as part of the agreement struck when he moved there two years ago.
Hassan shot to prominence on the international stage when he provided a superb assist as Egypt took a stunning 2-0 lead against World Cup holders Argentina during the tournament.
The result proved controversial, however, as a late collapse saw the African nations crash out of the competition despite their promising start.
At club level, Hassan made 37 appearances for Real Oviedo during the last campaign, though he managed only three assists across those outings.
The former French youth international will now drop into the second tier of Spanish football with Oviedo, a factor that has made him a more attainable target for clubs looking to strengthen their squads.
Celtic are actively looking to beef up their options ahead of the new season, and Hassan’s pace and directness from wide positions appear to fit the profile they are targeting.
Whether the Hoops can fend off competition from Saudi Arabia and other suitors remains to be seen, but the sharp reduction in Hassan’s release clause has undoubtedly intensified the battle for his signature.
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