Celtic 'pushing for the completion of several transfers' as deals could be done within next seven days
Hoops have a ‘double deal in their sights’
Celtic are ‘pushing for several transfers’ over the next week - including Utrecht winger Adrian Blake and Egyptian sensation Haissem Hassan.
Manager Martin O’Neill got the ball rolling in the transfer window last week with the £6m signing of Colombian striker Camilo Duran from Azerbaijani side FK Qarabag. It is understood that the new permanent Hoops boss is looking to strengthen in multiple other areas before their season gets underway against Dundee at Celtic Park on August 3.
Blake, 20 has a year left on his contract in the Eredivisie and would set Celtic back around £2.5m. The club have already made contact with Utrecht as they now attempt to negotiate a price. The former Watford man has also attracted interest from Wolves and Burnley. Meanwhile, Real Oviedo’s Hassan is also being monitored by the Hoops but after a strong 2026 World Cup with Egypt, is on Liverpool’s radar too.
Celtic 'pushing for the completion of several transfers' in the coming days
According to TeamTalk: “Celtic sources expect the club to finalise new signings soon as they try to strengthen their side ahead of the season and with an impressive double deal in Martin O’Neill’s sights. The club are understood to be pushing for the completion of several transfers in the next week to ensure the squad is ready for the challenges of the new campaign under O’Neill. More movement is expected soon as Celtic look to complete their summer business efficiently.”
The club are currently returning from their pre-season warm-weather training camp in Portugal, with home friendlies lined up against Middlesbrough and AC Milan over the next fortnight, they’d be hoping to bring players in sooner, rather than later to give them a taster what it’s like to play at Parkhead. The duo of Blake and Hassan show that O’Neill is still looking out for tricky, direct wingers ahead of the new campaign.
What type of players are the Hoops transfer targets?
Blake moved to the Netherland at the age of 17 to help him develop technically. In an interview with Football Oranje last season, he said: “For me, it was a no brainer to come here (to Utrecht) and now the rewards are showing. In England - especially in the Championship, the game is a lot more physical. So physically, England is a higher level, but technically, the Dutch league is still a very high standard, which I think has helped my game.”
Similarly, Hassan is a technically gifted attacker, who thrives off playing in a side who play attractive football. He told French media outlet So Foot: “When I was young, I never enjoyed watching the guy who was going to score all the goals or make all the assists, but rather watching the one who liked to play beautiful football.”
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