Rangers given encouragement, Celtic target's future addressed, Aberdeen contract talks - Scottish transfers
Here are all the latest Scottish football transfer stories and more on Monday morning - including Rangers, Celtic, Aberdeen, and beyond.
Here are the top Scottish transfer headlines as the re-opening of the January transfer window begins, with the reports from Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, and beyond.
Aberdeen contract talks
Aberdeen skipper Graeme Shinnie admits he is eager to extend his time at Pittodrie, and is hoping to sign a new deal in the coming weeks. The 34-year-old is out of contract in the summer and, while he hasn’t been a regular starter for Jimmy Thelin’s side this season, is open to staying with the club after ‘finding home’ on the northeast coast, where he has spent the last three seasons.
“There has been so much going on with travelling, Europe and games and everything else,” said Shinnie. “We’ve not really had the chance. I think once the games have settled down we will have the chat. I don’t think it will be too difficult. It is one we will deal with pretty easily and get on with it. I love it here. It is like home to me. As long as they still want me then we will see what happens.”
Celtic target's future addressed
The President of Romanian outfit CFR Cluj has confirmed the club has received no offers for Celtic-linked hotshot Louis Munteanu, despite rumours the 23-year-old was available for transfer in the January window. Repeatedly linked with the Hoops over the past six months, Munteanu bagged 23 goals in the SuperLiga last year, which saw the club’s asking price rocket to almost £16million.
After failing to land a summer move, the Romania international withdrew from first-team plans in protest at the club’s high asking price. While he has since returned to the squad, his form in front of goal has faltered, and now CFR Cluj are reportedly ready to allow him to leave.
However, club President Iuliu Muresan says he has yet to receive any offers for his services. “It is very possible he has not played his last match for us and could be back when the league resumes,” he said. “At this point, there have been no offers for him. Not every player is transferable. We don't just sell any player for any price.
Celtic handed potential boost
Celtic could have been given some unexpected January encouragement after Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini confessed he is yet to be fully convinced by the talents of loan striker Evan Ferguson. The Republic of Ireland international was linked to the club in the summer and is a boyhood fan of the club, but has struggled to find the net regularly in the Italian top flight, scoring just three goals in 15 games.
Despite his struggles in the Serie A, the powerful young forward showed his goal-scoring prowess during Roma’s dominant 3-0 win over Celtic in the Europa League earlier this month, which could prompt them to consider a deal for Ferguson, with sources in Italy suggesting the forward's loan could be cut short next month.
“Ferguson isn’t convincing me,” scolded Gasperini. “Even in the second half, for a long time. He hasn’t quite got into the swing of things yet, along with others. But we have a very solid team. [Pablo] Dybala and [Matías} Soule were served very well and have superior technical quality. I would make the same decisions again. Whoever started the game is who I think is doing best. It’s clear that Roma is currently trying to improve and strengthen themselves in that area of the pitch.”
Rangers given encouragement
Rangers have been boosted in their quest to add talented Tromso playmaker Jens Hjerto Dahl to their squad, with the club’s President admitting he expects players to be sold during the upcoming January transfer window.
Having been watched by club scouts in recent months, the imposing 6ft 4in midfielder is believed to have been identified as someone who can help transform Danny Rohl’s engine room, with an offer of around £3.5million likely to be enough to secure a deal for the player. Linked to both Brighton and Sunderland earlier this month, Dahl has provided eight goal contributions in 30 league games for his side this season.
"It is very positive that there is great interest in these players and that they are valued as highly as they are,” Tromso President Lars Kaemer-Andressen told Norwegian outlet AID. “I believe there will be at least one sale this winter.”
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