Celtic rival EPL side, Kieron Bowie bid 'accepted', Rangers sanction exit - Scottish transfer news
All the latest Scottish transfer headlines on Thursday morning, with reports from Celtic, Rangers, Hibs, and beyond.
As we enter the final few days of the transfer window, things are beginning to get very interesting as clubs look to bolster their squads in the Scottish Premiership and beyond
In your Thursday morning’s transfer bulleting, we’ve got the latest reports from Celtic, Hibs, Rangers, the Scotland national team and beyond:
Livi to sanction Carey deal
Livingston are ready to allow midfielder Graham Carey to leave the club on loan this month in order to get more regular game time. The 36-year-old arrived from St Johnstone in the summer following the club’s promotion back to the Scottish Premiership, but has started just two games, with David Martindale’s side rooted to the bottom of the league table.
Having not played a single minute in West Lothian since late November, he is now set to complete a loan move to Scottish Championship side Dunfermline Athletic. Currently in fourth position, Neil Lennon’s side are eyeing promotion back to the top flight this year, and will be boosted by the addition of the experienced playmaker, who has won the Scottish League Cup with St Mirren earlier in his career.
Rangers open door for exit
Rangers are ready to allow summer signing Joe Rothwell to depart the club after an underwhelming six-month stint at Ibrox. The 31-year-old joined from AFC Bournemouth in the summer, and signed a three-year deal in Govan, but struggled to impress in the early stages of the season and hasn’t started a league game for the club since the arrival of head coach Danny Rohl in October.
Linked with a departure since the turn of the year, it is reported that Sheffield United have won the race for his signature, with Chris Wilder’s side having fought off competition from fellow EFL Championship sides Derby County and Wrexham for the former Leeds United player to sign him on a permanent deal.
Elsewhere, Rangers are reluctant to allow Finland international Oliver Antman to leave the club this month despite interest from Feyenoord. Signed for £3.5million from Go Ahead Eagles just six months ago, the 24-year-old has failed to make an impact at Rangers, starting just six league games due to a combination of injury and lack of form. However, he remains highly valued in the Eredivisie based on his time at De Adelaarshorst. According to a report from The Rangers Review, however, head coach Rohl wants to keep Antman at the club this season and plans to utilise him as part of the squad.
Bowie on verge of Euro move
Kieron Bowie could be set to become the latest Scotland international to move to the Serie A after reports claimed Hibs had accepted a huge bid for the striker from Hellas Verona. The Easter Road side had been braced for interest in their hitman throughout the winter transfer window, with Celtic and Rangers thought to be mulling over a move for the 23-year-old.
It was Paolo Zanetti’s side who made the first official bid for the frontman, with an offer thought be worth around £5million rejected by Hibs on Tuesday. However, it hasn’t deterred the Italian top-flight team, and a report from the Scottish Sun now claims the two clubs are close to an agreement on a fee for Bowie worth around £6million plus future add-ons.
Head coach David Gray is hoping to add Sligo Rovers teenager Owen Elding to his side ahead of Monday’s deadline after striking up an agreement for the 19-year-old, but could now lose key man Bowie, with a long-term deal on offer at the Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium for the Scot.
Meanwhile, reports claim that Coventry City midfielder Kai Andrews has agreed a loan move to Hibs, with the Leith-based outfit believed to have fought off interest from a number of English clubs to land the 19-year-old.
Celtic rival EPL side for defender
Celtic are ready to do battle with English Premier League side Sunderland for Italian left-back Antonino Gallo, according to a report from Pete O’Rourke. The Lecce defender has just 18 months to run on his current deal, and has emerged as a potential target for several European clubs, having impressed in the Serie A in recent years.
It is claimed that both sides are looking add defensive cover to their sides ahead of the deadline, and view Gallo as an experienced and reliable option, with Celtic unable to call on loanee Marcelo Saracchi for the bulk of the campaign after his injury-hit loan spell at Parkhead.
Having already added Julian Araujo to their ranks on a loan deal from AFC Bournemouth earlier in the window following a long-term injury to Alistair Johnston, the Hoops are now said to be targeting Gallo to provide cover for Kieran Tierney on the other flank.
Bid lodged for Celtic target
Celtic striking target Kasper Hogh could be set to join former Rangers manager Philippe Clement at Norwich City after launching a report bid of £7million plus add-ons for the Bodo/Glimt striker. The Danish forward secured a UEFA Champions League playoff spot for the Nordland-based side last night when he grabbed the second goal in a shock 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid, but could have played his final game for them after Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claimed they were locked in negotiations over a move to Carrow Road.
Head coach Martin O’Neill is believed to be keen to strike up a deal for the player, with the 25-year-old labelled as Celtic’s key target heading into the final few days of the window. However, as it stands, the Scottish champions are yet to lodge an official bid for the player.
Speaking to Market Madness podcast, Bodo/Glimt managing director Frode Thomassen discussed the player’s future, admitting: “We don’t have to sell anyone but if the offer is good and the player would like to go of course we will judge it and see. I think Kasper enjoys playing in Bodo but we will see. There are two big ways in football to earn money. One of them is performance on the pitch and one is to sell players.”
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