Celtic are making their summer intent clear. Martin O'Neill's side are understood to be preparing to go all out for Scotland international Kieron Bowie, currently at relegated Serie A side Hellas Verona, with the Scottish champions ready to take on Italian competition to get the deal done.

Bowie Race Heats Up

Hellas Verona have placed a £13m valuation on the 23-year-old forward in an effort to hold off a queue of suitors. Bologna are said to be in pole position for Bowie's signature, according to Italian outlet Corriere di Verona, with Serie A sides Cagliari and Sassuolo also circling. Celtic's reported intention to compete directly with those clubs signals serious ambition from O'Neill as he sets about shaping his squad for a return to European football.

Bowie has established himself as a consistent performer at the top level and his Scotland pedigree makes him an attractive proposition for a club keen to build around home-grown talent. The noises out of Parkhead suggest this one is near the top of the recruitment list.

Hassan Clause Complicates Pursuit

Celtic have also made a formal move for Real Oviedo wide man Haissem Hassan, with a bid of £3.4m reportedly submitted for the 24-year-old who caught the eye for Egypt at the World Cup. However, a newly set transfer release clause from the Spanish second-division club is understood to sit at £10m, creating a significant gap between what Celtic have put on the table and what Oviedo are willing to accept.

Whether Celtic are prepared to bridge that gap remains to be seen, but the interest is genuine. Hassan would bring direct pace and creativity to O'Neill's attacking options, and his World Cup exposure gives him a profile that suits Celtic's ambitions on the European stage.

O'Neill Eyes Familiar Faces Too

Alongside the new arrivals, O'Neill has confirmed Celtic are working to re-sign striker Kelechi Iheanacho, 29, and left-back Marcelo Saracchi, 28, who spent last season on loan from Boca Juniors. The manager openly acknowledged he had delayed his own decision about whether to take the job permanently, which contributed to a fortnight's wait before his backroom staff was confirmed — a candid admission that provides useful context for some of the slower early movement in the transfer window.

Elsewhere in Scottish Football

Celtic are not alone in busy recruitment activity across Scottish football. Ipswich Town and Trabzonspor have joined Lyon in registering an interest in Hearts forward Claudio Braga, putting the newly-promoted Premier League side among a clutch of clubs chasing the 26-year-old. Hearts, meanwhile, have revived their pursuit of Forest Green Rovers defender Laurent Mendy after a January bid was knocked back.

At Rangers, Tromso midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl has spoken publicly about his preference for a move to Ibrox over a switch to Turkish side Besiktas, with the 20-year-old keeping options open as he weighs his next step. Borussia Dortmund are keen to take Tottenham winger Mikey Moore on loan, though Spurs are reportedly reluctant to sanction anything more than a temporary arrangement for the 18-year-old.

Aberdeen face a potential squad exodus, with Swedish club Hacken and Polish side Rakow Częstochowa targeting left-back Mitchel Frame, and Hajduk Split the latest to express an interest in winger Topi Keskinen. The Dons are attempting to counter with a loan approach for 19-year-old Hull City defender Cathal McCarthy.

It is shaping up to be a busy window across the Premiership, but the headline act right now is Celtic's push to bring genuine European-level quality to Parkhead — starting with Bowie.

Frequently asked

How much are Hellas Verona asking for Kieron Bowie?
Hellas Verona have placed a reported £13m price tag on Kieron Bowie this summer, with Celtic among the clubs battling Bologna and several Serie A sides for his signature.
Who is Haissem Hassan and why are Celtic interested?
Haissem Hassan is a 24-year-old winger currently at Real Oviedo in Spain. He attracted attention after featuring for Egypt at the World Cup, and Celtic have reportedly bid £3.4m for him, though Oviedo's release clause is understood to be set at £10m.
Is Martin O'Neill confirmed as Celtic manager long-term?
O'Neill has confirmed his backroom staff and is operating as Celtic manager, though he admitted he took time to decide whether to take the role permanently, which delayed staff announcements by around a fortnight.