Celtic and Rangers Compete for Wingers Amidst European Interest
The Glasgow giants are hunting width this summer, but every move into the market is being met with resistance or fresh competition from abroad.
Rangers pushed back in Driouech chase
Rangers have seen an improved £6m bid for PSV Eindhoven winger Couhaib Driouech knocked back, with the Dutch club standing firm as interest in the 24-year-old grows.
The Ibrox side had returned to the table after an earlier approach, sensing an opportunity to add pace and creativity in wide areas. Instead, the door has been nudged further shut – and the corridor has become more crowded.
Burnley and Celta Vigo have now stepped into the race, with talks described as being at an early stage. That hasn’t stopped the dynamic shifting. Driouech is understood to hold a slight preference for Celta Vigo, the appeal of La Liga and Spanish football tilting his thinking as the Galician club explores a deal alongside Rangers.
For Rangers, it is a familiar modern dilemma: push the fee higher for a primary target or pivot before the market moves on without them.
Monaco set the pace in Ghedjemis battle
On the opposite flank, another winger is at the centre of a multi-club tug-of-war.
Monaco have made 23-year-old Algeria international Fares Ghedjemis their top target for the right wing and are preparing an improved offer after Frosinone rejected their opening proposal of £6m plus £1.7m in bonuses.
The French club are not alone. Frosinone have already turned down bids of £8.6m from both Celtic and Rangers, underlining just how highly they value the player. The Italian side are holding their ground, waiting to see who blinks first.
Monaco’s intent is clear: Ghedjemis is the priority, not a luxury. For Celtic and Rangers, he represents another example of the market they now operate in – one where Serie A clubs can dictate terms and where Premier League money is not the only financial muscle to worry about.
Hassan move edges Celtic closer to wide upgrade
While Rangers wrestle with knock-backs and rival bids, Celtic’s pursuit of Haissem Hassan is moving with more purpose.
The 24-year-old Egypt winger has been left out of Real Oviedo’s squad for their pre-season match against Le Havre, with a £9m offer from Celtic on the table and the player awaiting the green light to undergo a medical.
The deal is advanced. An agreement is in place for Hassan to join Celtic on a contract running until 2030. Real Oviedo are set to receive £6m up front, with a further £1.3m due if the Scottish Premiership champions reach the Champions League proper.
There is one hitch: visa issues are still being resolved. The paperwork is slowing the final step, but not the direction of travel.
Real Oviedo head coach Julian Calero has already made the club’s stance clear – they will not stand in Hassan’s way. When a manager speaks like that, the end usually comes quickly.
Celtic appear to be closing in on their winger. Rangers are still swinging in a more congested market. The question now is which Glasgow club lands the wide threat that could tilt a title race.
