Scottish Transfer Window Explodes Into Life As Clubs Chase Top Targets
The Scottish transfer window is gathering serious momentum, with Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Hibs, and Aberdeen all making moves to reshape their squads ahead of next season.
Celtic remain focused on signing Hertha Berlin goalkeeper Tjark Ernst, with the German club’s boss Stefan Leitl confirming the 23-year-old is expected to make a decision on his future this week.
Feyenoord have now entered the race for Ernst, joining Wolfsburg and Ajax as rivals to Celtic, with the keeper carrying a reported price tag of around £4 million.
Daizen Maeda has hinted he will leave Celtic this summer, suggesting he needs to test himself at a higher level following Japan’s 2-1 World Cup exit against Brazil.
Maeda’s pressing was described as “world-class” by former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou, but the 28-year-old is in the final year of his contract at Parkhead.
Celtic have also appointed Hearts set-piece specialist Ross Grant to Martin O’Neill’s backroom staff, while Boca Juniors have knocked back another loan bid for Marcelo Saracchi.
Rangers have completed the signing of England international Ben Godfrey on loan from Atalanta, their second addition under manager Derek McInnes this window.
Hull City goalkeeper Ivor Pandur is nearing a £6 million switch to Ibrox, with Jack Butland in talks over a £3 million move in the opposite direction to Hull City.
Pandur, who helped Hull win promotion to the Premier League via the play-off final at Wembley against Middlesbrough, said: “I had a fairytale year. I won promotion to the Premier League, fulfilled a childhood dream and I am at the World Cup. It’s worth making a film about!”
Rangers midfielder Thelo Aasgaard is attracting attention from Atalanta, according to Corriere Della Sera, after the 24-year-old scored for Norway at the World Cup, becoming the first Ibrox player to net at the tournament since Brian Laudrup for Denmark in 1998.
Hearts have been among the busiest clubs in Scotland, bringing in eight signings before unveiling Wouter Vrancken as their new manager, with Cormac Daly, Sabri Guendouz, and Tom Renaud among the latest arrivals.
Daly, a 19-year-old attacking midfielder who left Nottingham Forest, said: “I’m absolutely buzzing. I got a phone call from Hearts, and I talked to some of the people at the club about what they’re trying to do here, and they have a good plan.”
Hibs have completed the signing of Callum Wright from Plymouth Argyle, adding fresh quality to their squad as they prepare for the new campaign.
Aberdeen have bolstered their options with the arrival of Morocco international Ayoub Mouloua, their eighth signing of the summer transfer window.
Falkirk boss John McGlynn is aiming to bring in two more recruits before his squad returns from their Portuguese pre-season training camp.
Former Celtic striker Tony Cascarino believes Elijah Just has the quality to make the step up to the Hoops, telling Tonybet: “I can see Just making the step up to Celtic this summer.”
Dundee look set to lose two key defenders, with Luke Graham heading to England for talks while Charlton Athletic have reportedly reached an agreement for ex-Liverpool starlet Billy Koumetio.
Sam Allardyce has urged the Scottish FA to pursue David Moyes as their next national team manager, saying: “It could be his life’s ambition to manage Scotland; managing at international level has to be on his cards.”
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