Celtic identify priority position, Rangers submit bid, Dundee ‘big offer’ claim - Scottish transfer news

Dundee make ‘big offer’ claim

Dundee head coach Steven Pressley says it will take a “big offer” to prize talented young defender Luke Graham away from the club this month, following rumours of interest from EFL Championship strugglers Portsmouth. The 21-year-old has been linked with a move to Fratton Park this month, with reports claiming that the second-tier side were ready to launch an official bid for the Scotland under-21 international, who has been a standout performer at Dens Park this season.

Scottish Premiership rivals Aberdeen and Hearts have also been credited with an interest in Graham. However, Dundee boss Pressley believes it would take a serious offer for the club to consider letting one of their prized assets leave during the transfer window, saying: “Any interest doesn’t surprise me because I think he’s been exceptional. Especially over the last two or three months, he’s really grown in stature.

“Although I don’t deal with these things, I would imagine it would take a big offer for a club like us to part with him. When I look around at centre-backs, young centre-backs, he’s one of the top ones out there. I was lucky that I brought through at Carlisle young Jarrad Branthwaite. He’s now an England international, so I’ve seen first-hand his level. I think Luke Graham looks very comparable to that.”

Interest builds in St Johnstone hitman

Scottish Championship title hopefuls St Johnstone could lose key striker Adama Sidibeh this month, with Northampton Town said to be lining up an offer for the Gambian international. The 27-year-old has been a key figure in Simo Valakari’s side this season, scoring six goals and assisting a further four in his 19 league appearances. Still, there is a growing interest in his services from across the border, with fellow EFL League One side Stevenage believed to be keen on Sidibeh.

Speaking to the media yesterday, Northampton boss Kevin Nolan admitted his club are ‘in talks’ with players about a move to Sixfields in January. “I want to strengthen all over,” said Nolan. “But I always think you need to be strong through the middle of the pitch. We won’t turn our noses up at anyone that comes up, but we’ll look at it and decide if it’s someone who is going to make the squad better. We worked really hard to assemble this squad in the summer and you’re seeing we can match some big clubs on a weekly basis, so it’ll only be someone who improves us. We’re in talks with a couple and waiting to see if anything will come of that.”

Shock Ibrox exit mooted

Rangers could face a battle to hang onto key winger Djeidi Gassama this month, with the Mauritanian-born star emerging as a target for Champions League outfit Club Brugge. According to a report from Italian transfer guru Rudy Galetti, the Belgian club has ‘requested details’ on the 22-year-old’s current situation at Ibrox, with head coach Ivan Leko keen to discover if the club would be open to discussing a move for Gassama, who has scored six goals in all competitions following his summer arrival from Sheffield Wednesday.

The report states that Club Brugge, who defeated Rangers 9-1 on aggregate in the Champions League qualifiers earlier in the campaign, aim to bolster their attacking options and view the French youth international as someone who matches their desired profile to enhance their offensive department. Last month, La Liga side Villarreal had also been linked with an interest in the dynamic winger. It was claimed Rangers had zero interest in allowing the player to depart this month, though, with Gassama central to Rohl’s plans in the second-half of the season.

Celtic identify ‘priority’ position

Celtic are ready to step up their efforts to find a replacement for out-of-form goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel in the transfer market, with reports claiming the club has made the position a ‘priority’. The experienced Danish goalkeeper has come in for strong criticism this season following a series of errors in the Hoops goal, and Celtic are now assessing their options ahead of his contract expiring in the summer.

According to journalist Pete O’Rouke, the Scottish champions have started the process of finding a long-term successor for Schmeichel, with new arrival in January is a ‘serious possibility’ if they can strike a deal that is right for the club. The report also states that the club’s current back up option Viljami Sinisalo is not viewed as a direct replacement for the 39-year-old and is currently ‘too inexperienced’ to take the number one spot.

Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega was linked with a move to Parkhead last month after falling behind Gianluigi Donnarumma, James Trafford, and Marcus Bettinelli in the pecking order at the Etihad, with his current City contract expiring in the summer. Several clubs hold an interest in the experienced German ‘keeper, and a report from The Athletic says he is in ‘explorative talks’ to leave this month to play regular first-team football.

Rangers submit bid

Rangers have launched a bid of around £3million for Westerlo left-back Tuur Rommens, according to a report from The Daily Record. The Belgian under-21 international has been linked with a move to Ibrox ever since the transfer window reopened, with Rangers head coach Danny Rohl keen to strengthen his options at left-back for the second half of the season, with his natural option in that department being Brentford loanee Jayden Meghoma.

The 22-year-old is viewed as a player who could help bolster the Gers squad. However, Westerlo boss - and former Rangers assistant - Issame Charai, claimed there had been no official offers for the defender at the weekend. However, it now appears to have changed with the Glasgow giants said to be ‘stepping up’ their efforts to bring Rommens to the club, who has played 79 times for Westerlo since making his league debut for the club in 2023.

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