Real Oviedo have made Justin de Haas their number one defensive target this summer. The Asturian side contacted Famalicao last week about the 25-year-old Dutch centre-back who has impressed in Portugal over the past two seasons.

Transfer talk around De Haas has picked up steam among football fans across Australia. The country’s gambling industry keeps expanding, with brand new AU bookmakers appearing almost weekly to grab market share from the traditional operators. Many of these fresh platforms specialise in European football betting markets that bigger companies tend to ignore, creating opportunities for punters who track obscure league movements and player switches.

Famalicão have slapped a €3m price tag on de Haas, according to reports from Spain. That figure would break Oviedo’s transfer record, but the club has cash to spend after earning promotion through the playoffs. De Haas still has two years left on his Portuguese contract, which gives Famalicao plenty of leverage in any negotiations.

Oviedo initially wanted Kevin Lo Monaco from Independiente, but the Argentine defender proved too expensive. Club scouts then turned their attention to Portugal, where they believe better value exists compared to the inflated South American market. De Haas ticks all the boxes for what coach Veljko Paunovic needs in his backline.

The Spanish club also looked at Joaquim Henrique Pereira Silva from Tigres in Mexico. However, that deal would have been a loan arrangement rather than a permanent move. Paunovic prefers to own his players outright to avoid potential recall clauses or other complications during the season.

Celtic have kept tabs on de Haas throughout this transfer window but never followed up with a serious bid. The Scottish champions watched him several times last season, yet their interest seems to have faded recently. This gives Oviedo a clearer run at securing the defender’s signature before September.

De Haas came through the youth ranks at AZ Alkmaar but never broke into their first team. He moved to Croatia with NK Lokomotiva Zagreb to get regular football, which helped his development before Famalicao took a chance on him two summers ago. The gamble paid off as he became a key player in their defensive setup.

At 194cm tall, de Haas offers aerial dominance and can play multiple positions across the back four. His left foot makes him particularly useful at left-back when Famalicao need tactical flexibility. These qualities appeal to Oviedo, who may need versatility during the long La Liga campaign.

Oviedo spent 24 years in Spain’s lower divisions before last season’s playoff triumph. The club wants to establish itself permanently at this level rather than bounce straight back down. Signing players like de Haas sends a message about their ambitions beyond mere survival.

Famalicao know they will struggle to replace de Haas easily if he leaves. The Portuguese club have started scouting alternatives but would prefer to keep their defensive leader for another season. The final decision may come down to whether Oviedo meet their asking price in full.