Celtic's Haissem Hassan move has reached the point where it looks like a deal story, not just interest. The Celtic are in advanced talks with Oviedo and are increasingly confident an agreement will be struck. Hassan has a £10million release clause, but Celtic are hopeful of landing him for less. He is also in the final 12 months of his contract and is keen on a move to Parkhead.

The fee dispute around Hassan

There is still a gap between what has been reported on the fee and what Oviedo may accept. One line has put the package at £6million, rising to £9million with add-ons, while the release clause sits at £10million. That makes the structure as important as the headline figure, and it is probably the clearest reason the talks are still being described as final stages rather than done.

Hassan's numbers at Oviedo are modest, which is why the deal is being sold on profile as much as output. He has four goals in 81 appearances across the last two campaigns. Oviedo finished 20th in La Liga in 2025 with 29 points, so their side of the negotiation is not coming from a position of comfort. Celtic, by contrast, have won their last five verified league and cup matches and finished top of the 2025 Premiership table with 82 points.

Celtic's wider squad squeeze

The Hassan move sits alongside Celtic's need to keep the rest of the squad intact for the Champions League play-off with LASK. Martin O'Neill said he would love to keep Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels until after the tie. He also said: "It is pressing because we would like to have as strong a squad as possible for those Champions League games."

That is the real backdrop here. Celtic are trying to add a winger while also protecting key pieces before Europe, and the club's willingness to move quickly on Hassan fits that wider push. The player wants the move, Oviedo know he is entering the last year of his deal, and the fee remains the only real sticking point. If that gets bridged, Celtic should have their next attacking addition before the LASK tie.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →