Celtic have officially confirmed the signing of Bodo/Glimt centre-forward Kasper Hogh in a deal that could end up being a club-record signing for a fee of more than £11m.
The Denmark international has joined from the Norwegian side ahead of the club’s first Scottish Premiership match against Dundee next month.
Hogh may not be the only new signing added to the squad ahead of that clash, though, as the Hoops are also pursuing a move for Real Oviedo forward Haissem Hassan.
The Scottish giants have already agreed personal terms with the Egypt international and are looking to thrash out a deal to sign him for a fee of around £8m.
Why Haissem Hassan is a risky signing for Celtic
Hassan is an exciting and risky target for the Premiership champions this summer, because he is an unproven talent who would need to be nurtured into becoming a star.
The 24-year-old attacker failed to score a single goal and provided three assists in 37 appearances in LaLiga for Real Oviedo last term, which is far from an exceptional return for an attacking player.
Three assists in 20 starts in LaLiga for a team that got relegated from the division is not horrendous, and shows that he has exciting potential as a creative player, but the lack of goals is a concern.
Hassan has never scored more than four goals in all competitions in a single season in his club career and is yet to score in six caps for Egypt at international level.
|
Haissem Hassan’s club career |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Appearances |
Goals + assists |
|
25/26 |
38 |
0 + 3 |
|
24/25 |
40 |
4 + 3 |
|
23/24 |
38 |
1 + 5 |
|
22/23 |
29 |
0 + 1 |
|
21/22 |
37 |
3 + 5 |
The left-footed forward has yet to play in a team as dominant as Celtic are in the Premiership, though, which is why he is still an exciting talent who has the potential to explode at Parkhead.
However, it is a risky move to pay £8m for a 24-year-old winger who has yet to deliver more than four goals or more than five assists in a single campaign, but it seems to be a risk that Martin O’Neill is willing to take.
Celtic in the race to sign a better talent than Hassan
Whilst Hassan is an unproven young talent who would arrive at Parkhead with plenty to prove, the club are also looking at another forward who has already shown his quality in the Premiership.
Football Italia reports that Celtic are one of the teams in the race to sign Hellas Verona centre-forward Kieron Bowie in the summer transfer window.
The outlet claims that Sassuolo are currently leading the race ahead of the Hoops, Bologna, and Cagliari, and are set for talks with Hellas Verona over a deal for the Scottish marksman.
It adds that he has a value of between €9m and €10m, so roughly £8m, and that Sassuolo are currently offering Samuele Mulattieri in part-exchange to lower that price.
Celtic should react to Sassuolo’s talks with Hellas Verona by making an offer of their own for the striker, as he would be a terrific addition to the squad as a proven Premiership performer.
Whilst Hassan is an unproven talent with no experience in Scotland, Bowie could arrive at Parkhead and hit the ground running as a goalscorer for O’Neill.
|
Bowie (25/26) |
Premiership |
Serie A |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
22 |
14 |
|
xG |
5.69 |
4.25 |
|
Goals |
8 |
4 |
|
Big chances missed |
5 |
4 |
|
Conversion rate |
17% |
12% |
|
Assists |
3 |
0 |
The £8m-rated star scored eight goals from 5.69 xG in the Premiership in the first half of the 2025/26 campaign before earning a move to the Serie A with Hellas Verona in January.
Bowie’s side were relegated from the Italian top-flight at the end of the season, but he still showcased his quality in a major European league by scoring goals against Juventus and Inter.
The Scottish striker showed that he can score goals against elite opposition after already proving that he could score goals at an impressive rate in the Premiership with Hibernian.
His performances for Hellas Verona clearly caught the eye in Italy, hence the interest from Bologna and Sassuolo, but the Hoops should attempt to convince him to return to Scotland.
Bowie would arrive as a bigger talent than Hassan because he has already proven his quality as a scorer in the Premiership and could be expected to deliver instantly on the pitch.
The move would also mean that the Scottish giants would have Camilo Duran, Hogh, and Bowie competing for the centre-forward position, providing great quality and depth across all competitions.
