Celtic are closing in on a deal for Egypt World Cup star Haissem Hassan. Record Sport understands the Hoops are locked in advanced talks with Real Oviedo for the £6million winger.
Advanced talks underway
The Scottish champions are increasingly confident that a deal will be struck to finally land one of their top summer targets. Boss Martin O'Neill is desperately looking to bolster his wide options and flying machine Hassan has been a long-term target.
Hassan has a release clause at £10m with the LaLiga 2 outfit but Celts are hopeful they can land him for less. The ex-Villarreal star is in the final 12 months of his contract and is keen on a move to Parkhead.
Competition for signature
Hassan has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia and French heavyweights Marseille. But Celtic have moved into pole position to land the 24-year-old.
It comes after Record Sport revealed that Everton have cooled their interest in Alistair Johnston after failing to reach an agreement with Celtic. The Toffees had targeted the Canada World Cup star as a replacement for Seamus Coleman this summer.
Johnston saga
Hoops boss Martin O'Neill even revealed David Moyes had phoned him to confirm his interest in the right-back. However, Record Sport understands the Premier League outfit are now working on other options after failing to meet Celtic's asking price.
It's believed the Scottish champions are holding out for upwards of £15million for the defender, who arrived in a £3m deal from MLS side CF Montreal in January 2023. Everton are aware that Johnston is keen on a move to The Hill Dickinson Stadium. But, as things stand, the club are now pursuing other targets. Strasbourg right-back Guela Doue is on their radar, although a deal could prove too expensive.
O'Neill's stance
Speaking recently, O'Neill admitted he'd love to keep Johnston at Celtic - at least until the £40million Champions League playoff with LASK is out the way. He said: "I've spoken to Alistair on the back of the interest. It was one of those where he is perfectly happy here at the football club.
"But like anything else, your head can get turned very quickly, particularly if it's a really good club. Ali wouldn't leave here for a second-class Premier League outfit, if there is such a thing. But if a big club comes in, it's something you'd have to look at. That is only natural as well. If I was a player, I'd be exactly the same."
The veteran boss - who could lose £25m-rated Arne Engels to West Ham - added: "In an ideal world, I'd love to keep Alistair and Arne until after the play-off at least. But I don't know what might happen.
"If you look at the West Ham offer, we're a long way away from Arne going, but things can happen very quickly. One part of me is trying to cater for players possibly leaving. It is pressing because we would like to have as strong a squad as possible for those Champions League games."
Araujo blow
Meanwhile Celtic are unlikely to launch a move for Julian Araujo during this window after the Bournemouth right-back underwent surgery. O'Neill refused to shut the door on a return for last season's loan star if he were to lose influential full-back Johnston. But Araujo faces a spell on the sidelines after suffering an injury in pre-season.
A Cherries statement said: "Julian Araujo has undergone successful surgery on his left thigh after sustaining a muscle injury on the club's pre-season tour in Austria. He will be supported by the club's medical department as he navigates a period of rehabilitation. All at the club extend their best wishes to Julian and look forward to him making a full recovery."
