Marseille Hijack Celtic Bid for Haissem Hassan: Glasgow 2026

Key Points

• Marseille Enter the Race: Ligue 1 heavyweights Olympique de Marseille have officially entered the pursuit of Real Oviedo winger Haissem Hassan, throwing Celtic’s transfer plans into disarray.
• Player Preference: The 24-year-old Egyptian international has declared Marseille as his preferred destination, citing strong personal and cultural ties to France.
• French Roots: Hassan was born in Paris and launched his professional career at French outfit Châteauroux before moving to Spanish football.
• Celtic’s Earlier Progress Dented: Scottish Premiership champions Celtic had previously held advanced talks and submitted bids for the wide player, but the entry of Marseille has shifted the landscape significantly.
• Valuation & Release Clause: Real Oviedo remain firm on their financial expectations following the player’s standout performances for Egypt at the FIFA World Cup.

Celtic FC (Glasgow Express) August 5, 2026 – Celtic can forget about signing Haissem Hassan from Real Oviedo now that Ligue 1 titans Olympique de Marseille have formally entered the race to secure his signature. The Egyptian international winger has declared the French south coast side as his favoured destination, effectively putting an end to the Scottish Champions’ hopes of bringing him to Parkhead this summer. The sudden pivot stems largely from Hassan’s personal background and French heritage; born in Paris, the wide midfielder began his senior professional career in France with Châteauroux before making the transition to Spanish football with Villarreal and Real Oviedo.

Why has Celtic’s move for Haissem Hassan hit a major roadblock?

The prospective transfer of Haissem Hassan to Celtic appears to be dead in the water following the intervention of French giants Olympique de Marseille. While the Hoops had identified the 24-year-old wide man as a prime target to bolster their attacking options ahead of the new campaign, Marseille’s interest has immediately turned the player’s head.

As reported by KingFut Team of KingFut, Celtic had initially submitted an opening offer worth approximately £3.4 million (€4 million) for the winger following his eye-catching displays on the international stage. However, Real Oviedo rejected the opening approach, pointing interested suitors toward the player’s release clause structure.

As reported by Paul Gillespie of OneFootball, earlier indications suggested Celtic were making steady progress toward a deal, with reports even linking the Hoops to a agreed framework. However, the arrival of Marseille into negotiations has fundamentally reshaped the player’s priorities. Hassan’s strong desire to return to the nation of his birth has made the Ligue 1 outfit the undisputed frontrunner for his signature.

What is the history of Haissem Hassan’s career and his ties to France?

Haissem Hassan’s preference for a move to the Stade Vélodrome is rooted in his upbringing and early development. Born in Paris, France, Hassan developed through the youth ranks of Châteauroux, where he made his senior professional debut before securing a high-profile move to Spanish side Villarreal in 2020.

After gaining experience in Spain—including loan spells and a permanent move to Real Oviedo in 2024—Hassan established himself as one of the most dynamic wide players outside top-flight Spanish football. His international allegiance lies with Egypt, where his performances during the FIFA World Cup round of 16 highlighted his pace, dribbling ability, and vision on the flank. Despite his international commitment to Egypt, Hassan’s formative footballing years and upbringing in France remain a dominant factor in his career choices, rendering a return to French football with Marseille an attractive proposition.

How have Real Oviedo responded to the growing interest in Hassan?

Real Oviedo have remained firm on their stance regarding the future of their key asset. The Spanish club retains full administrative control over any potential transaction, given that Hassan remains under contract until 2027.

As reported by reporter of The Herald, Real Oviedo sporting director David Fernandez clarified the club’s stance during a recent media presentation, stating:

“We are prepared for anything that might happen. We already have a significant portion of the squad with us. This is all a club decision. We’re going to try to keep the best players and let go of those who need to leave.”

Fernandez added that the club would dictate the pace and financial parameters of any departure, emphasizing:

“Everything that happens makes us activate or deactivate things. Everything that happens is part of the job.”

Furthermore, Spanish reports indicate that Villarreal retain a 40% sell-on clause from any future transfer fee, prompting Real Oviedo to maximize their return on any transaction.

What is the background of Haissem Hassan’s potential transfer?

The saga surrounding Haissem Hassan began to gather momentum following his standout performances on the international stage for Egypt. His ability to unpick defenses on the right flank attracted scouts from across Europe, with Celtic manager Martin O’Neill identifying him as a potential recruit to elevate the club’s European credentials.

Over recent weeks, Scottish media actively tracked Celtic’s recruitment drive. As reported by Ryan McDonald and Michael Gannon of Record Sport, Celtic have been actively working on multiple targets during the current window, including a record-breaking £11 million deal for Bodø/Glimt forward Kasper Høgh. The pursuit of Hassan was viewed as another crucial piece in rebuilding Celtic’s wide areas.

Initial reports from Greek journalist George Tsarouchas suggested that Celtic had provisionally agreed personal terms on a four-year contract with Hassan, while negotiations over structured bonuses continued with Real Oviedo. However, before formal contracts could be finalized, Marseille entered the frame, utilizing their stature in Ligue 1 and Hassan’s French upbringing to swiftly leapfrog Celtic in the player’s preference.

How could this transfer development affect Celtic and Marseille fans?

For Celtic and their supporters, missing out on Haissem Hassan represents a notable setback in what has been a demanding summer recruitment window. Celtic fans have been eager for high-calibre wide additions capable of making an immediate impact both domestically and in European competition. While the acquisition of Kasper Høgh provides a significant boost, failing to land Hassan forces the Parkhead recruitment team to pivot to alternative targets late in the window, heightening pressure on the board to deliver quality additions before the transfer deadline.

For Olympique de Marseille and their faithful, securing Hassan would represent a strategic coup. Acquiring a technically gifted, France-born winger who already possesses international experience strengthens Marseille’s attacking depth under high-pressure Ligue 1 and European conditions. Hassan’s preference for Marseille highlights the club’s continued pull for players seeking a return to French football, while positioning Marseille to add directness and flair to their wide attacking units for the upcoming season.