No, it isn’t Jack Grealish before you get excited. Despite the Brummie-born midfielder tearing up the Euros for England, it would have been dreamland should he have donned the famous green-and-white.
Instead, it is Villa’s Egyptian winger Trezeguet who has claimed that he almost signed for Celtic a few years ago – with a move to Belgian side Anderlecht instead quashing any potential move to Celtic Park in 2015. Trezeguet, whose real name is Mahmoud Hassan, has fared well in his time gracing the English Premier League; scoring 8 goals in 55 appearances and helping the Villains secure survival for two years on the trot.
However, his life could have been completely different when he was offered a premature British move by the Celtic hierarchy in 2015, whilst playing for Al Ahly in his home nation – with claims that if Celtic had stumped up more money, he would most likely have made the move to East Glasgow.
Speaking to Everything Celtic, Trezeguet claimed: “When I decided I was going to Europe, there were a lot of clubs who were interested. I was going to sign for Celtic, but the deal wasn’t completed due to the poor financial compensation that they offered Al Ahly.”
Instead, Trezeguet signed for Belgian giants Anderlecht on loan in 2015, with his move made permanent a year later. Numerous loan spells around the Flemish country followed, however he struggled for form. A move to Turkey ensued, where Trezeguet finally found his feet at Kasimpasa, before Aston Villa caught his ability and brought him over to England. What could have been for the Egyptian…
