Celtic could sign three players in one with £1.6m Hatem Abd Elhamed

Celtic reportedly want to bring Hapoel Be’er Sheva defender Hatem Abd Elhamed to the Scottish Premiership.

Hatem Abd Elhamed of Gent reacts to a missed chance on goal during the Jupiler League match between KAA Gent and KRC Genk held at the Ghelamco Arena on July 31, 2015 in Gent, Belgium.

Well this one came right out of the blue.

Despite never being previously mentioned as a Celtic target, Hatem Abd Elhamed is apparently on his way to Parkhead. The Scottish Sun claims that the Hoops could sign the Hapoel Be’er Sheva defender for a fee of just £1.6 million.

But who on earth is the 28-year-old Israel international, who plays alongside Nir Bitton for his country?

Well he would certainly give Neil Lennon a number of options, all over the pitch.

Abd Elhamed is a centre-half by trade, meaning he could help fill the gaps left by the departures of Dedryck Boyata and Filip Benkovic alongside incoming Toulouse stopper Christopher Jullien.

The former Chaleroi and Dinamo Bucharest ace is also equally comfortable at right-back, and that will come in very handy considering that Mikael Lustig, Cristian Gamboa and Jeremy Toljan have all left Celtic this summer.

Mikael Lustig of Celtic celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and Celtic at Pittodrie Stadium on May 04, 2019 in Aberdeen,...

Like Boli Mbombo, who completed his signing from Rapid Vienna in the week, Abd Elhamed started out as a winger before dropping into the defence. Clearly, he’d bring a lot of thrust and attacking intent down the flanks.

Though Abd Elhamed has another string to his bow – he could even provide competition for the ageing Scott Brown in central midfield.

Three players in one; not bad for £1.6 million.

Presentation of new player Hatem Abd Elhamed pictured during a press conference and at Ghelamco Arena Stadium on 09 july 2014 in Gent, Belgium.