Celtic Moves Closer to Signing Haissem Hassan Amid Rangers' Struggles

Rangers and Celtic are locked into very different battles for wide players – one hitting a wall in Eindhoven, the other edging towards a breakthrough in Spain – as a frantic winger market gathers pace across Europe.

Rangers Hit PSV Roadblock in Driouech Chase

Rangers have seen an improved £6m bid for Couhaib Driouech knocked back by PSV Eindhoven, a firm response that underlines how highly the Dutch club value the 24-year-old.

The Ibrox side had returned with a better offer after initial contact, but PSV have again said no. That refusal has cracked the door open for others. Burnley and Celta Vigo have now stepped into the race, with talks described as being at an early stage.

Rangers are still at the table, but the dynamics have shifted. Celta’s arrival is significant. Driouech is understood to hold a slight preference for the Spanish club, a nod towards La Liga’s appeal and the platform it offers attacking players.

For Rangers, it is a familiar modern dilemma: keep pushing the fee, or walk away before the numbers spiral. For PSV, with multiple clubs circling and no need to sell on the cheap, there is no rush to compromise.

Monaco, Celtic and Rangers Locked Out on Ghedjemis

On the other flank of the European market, Frosinone are standing firm over Fares Ghedjemis.

Monaco have identified the 23-year-old Algeria international as their top target for the right wing and already lodged a bid worth £6m plus £1.7m in bonuses. Frosinone rejected it.

They also turned down offers of £8.6m from both Celtic and Rangers, a double snub that shows just how hard the Italian club are pushing to maximise any sale. Three clubs from three different leagues, all told the same thing: not enough.

Monaco intend to come back with an improved proposal. Celtic and Rangers, meanwhile, must decide whether to stay in a race where the bar is rising by the week, or divert funds elsewhere. For now, Frosinone hold all the cards, and Ghedjemis remains out of reach.

Celtic Move Into Pole Position for Hassan

While one door closes in Italy, another is swinging wide open in Spain for Celtic.

Real Oviedo winger Haissem Hassan has been left out of the squad for their pre-season match against Le Havre, with the 24-year-old at the centre of a £9m bid from the Scottish champions and waiting for the green light to undergo a medical.

The structure of the deal underlines Celtic’s intent. An agreement is in place for Hassan to sign a contract running until 2030. Real Oviedo are poised to receive £6m up front, with a further £1.3m due if Celtic reach the Champions League proper.

The move is not done yet, but it is advanced. The remaining hurdle lies off the pitch: visa issues are being resolved before the transfer can be finalised. Hassan is ready; Celtic are ready; the paperwork must catch up.

Real Oviedo head coach Julian Calero has already made the club’s stance clear – they will not stand in the player’s way. When a manager speaks like that in July, the direction of travel is obvious.

Diverging Paths in Glasgow

So the picture is stark. Rangers are being forced to wrestle with hard lines from PSV and Frosinone, chasing players whose markets are swelling by the day. Celtic, after missing out on Ghedjemis, have pivoted decisively and look set to land Hassan on a long-term deal.

One Glasgow club is knocking on doors that refuse to open. The other has found one that is already half ajar.

In a window where pace out wide can define a season, who finishes this race with the right winger in their colours may tell us plenty about where the balance of power is heading.