Celtic eye Hibs star, Rangers target five, Hearts EPL deal, Newcastle striker arrives - Scottish transfers

Celtic eye Hibs ace

Reports have linked Celtic with a move for Hibs midfielder Miguel Chaiwa. The Zambian international joined the Easter Road club last summer on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee from Swiss Super League side BSC Young Boys. The 21-year-old has made 16 appearances for the Hibees, only eight starts, scoring two goals. He has been absent from David Gray's side in recent weeks due to his involvement in the African Cup of Nations with Zambia, but is expected to return for the match against Motherwell on Saturday. According to renowned transfer journalist Rudy Galetti, both Celtic and Fiorentina have shown interest in Chaiwa and have requested further information on the player.

Rangers target five

Rangers are expected to be busy in the January window with five targets already known. The Ibrox club is understood to have agreed a £3 million fee with Belgian side Westerlo for left-back Tuur Rommens, while midfielder Tochi Chukwuani is set to cost in the region of £4m from Austrian outfit Sturm Graz. Both players could arrive in time for the trip to Aberdeen on Sunday. Rangers are also in the market for a striker and reports have credited them with an interest in Hibs frontman Kieron Bowie. The 23-year-old Scotland cap has produced some impressive performances for the Easter Road side, particularly in Europe, and has chipped in with eight goals and three assists. This has led to Hibs placing a £6.5million asking price on his head with Wolves also said to considering an offer. According to Sky Sports, Rangers have also 'made enquiries' to Sunderland for out-of-favour pair Dan Neil and Romaine Mundle. Defensive midfielder Neil, who captained the Black Cats' promotion-winning side last season, is out of contract in the summer and available on a pre-contract. Let-winger Mundle is on a longer-term deal but could be sent out on loan after struggling for game-time in the Premier League in the first half of the season.

Hearts EPL deal

Hearts and Manchester City have agreed compensation over Tynecastle talent Keir McMeekin. According to the Edinburgh Evening News, an agreement is now in place for the teenager to sign for the Premier League giants when he turns 16 next month. Hearts wanted to keep the emerging starlet and put forward a contract of their own but a move to Manchester is in the offing after the player and his family receiving a tour of the Citizens’ elite facilities. Meanwhile, Hearts have had a £300,000 bid for FK Vardar’s Ugandan winger Rogers Mato rejected by the Macedonian club. Vardar have placed a valuation of €1.5million on their star player, who can sign a pre-contract this summer with his contract due to expire at the end of 2026.

Newcastle striker arrives

Falkirk have completed the signing of striker Ben Parkinson from Newcastle United for an undisclosed fee. The 20-year-old, who joined the Magpies' Academy aged seven, progressed through the club's youth system and made his Premier League debut lin 2023. The Durham-born forward scored eight goals in 11 Premier League 2 appearances last season, as well as netting against Bradford City in the EFL Trophy. He will now link up with John McGlynn's side who currently sit sixth in the Scottish Premiership following promotion in the 2024/25 season.

McGlynn said: “Ben is one we were very much interested in during the summer, but we were a little bit gazumped at the time. We had chased him for a good while, and someone came in with a fairly substantial transfer offer. Something cropped up injury-wise which meant that deal didn’t happen at the time, and since then he’s mainly been getting back from injury.

“He’s back fit now and has been playing a few games. We’ve watched him closely and we’re happy with the way he’s been playing. He comes here on a two-and-a-half-year contract, it’s a permanent signing, not a loan. We believe he’s one not just for now, but for the future. He’s a striker who can also play wide, which is a big benefit for us.”

Aberdeen want Celtic defender

Aberdeen are reportedly interested in Celtic defender Stephen Welsh, who is currently on loan at Motherwell. According to the Daily Record, the Dons have approached the Parkhead side over the possibility of signing the 25-year-old centre-back in the January transfer window. Welsh has been an impressive performer in a Motherwell side that has enjoyed an excellent first half of the season with talk of a possible Scotland World Cup call-up. Welsh joined the Fir Park outfit on a season-long loan but Celtic have a recall clause which they could activate should they wish to sell him in the current window.