Rangers given loan hope, Celtic issued plea, Hearts close in on deal - Scottish transfer news
Here are all the latest Scottish football transfer stories this Tuesday morning - including Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, and Dundee.
Here are the top Scottish transfer headlines as the re-opening of the January transfer window begins to see movement, with the reports from Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, and Dundee.
Dundee defender in demand
Dundee are set to face a battle to hang onto key defender Luke Graham this month, after interest from the EFL Championship emerged in the player. The 21-year-old had been linked with Aberdeen in recent weeks, with former Pittodrie head coach Jimmy Thelin saying he had interest in the youngster before his dismissal at the weekend. However, Dens Park boss Steven Pressley could now be forced to fight off competition from English second-tier outfit Portsmouth, after reports claimed they were mulling over a bid for Graham.
John Mousinho’s side are currently three points adrift of safety in the EFL Championship, and are looking to add to their squad this month to fend off the threat of relegation. The Fratton Park outfit have shopped in the Scottish market recently, signing St Johnstone striker Makenzie Kirk during the summer transfer window, and reports claim they have been tracking the talented centre-back in recent months.
Hearts close in on deal
Hearts are set to complete the signing of Islam Chesnokov after the Kazakhstan international was provisionally granted a UK visa to complete his move from Tobol. The 26-year-old winger agreed a pre-contract agreement with the Tynecastle outfit earlier this season, and flew to the capital at the weekend, where he is expected to sign a long-term deal with the club. According to a report from the Edinburgh Evening News, the player’s visa paperwork should be through within 48 hours, which will see the club officially confirm the move before he begins training with his new teammates later this week.
The left-footed winger has been capped 22 times by his national side, scoring twice. He featured in recent World Cup qualifiers, including matches against Belgium and North Macedonia, and bagged 15 goals in 43 league games over the last two Kazakhstan Premier League seasons.
Celtic issued transfer plea
Celtic have been issued a come and get me plea by Uruguayan international Ignacio Laquintana, with reports claiming a loan-to-buy deal is possible in the January transfer window. The 26-year-old winger is believed to have held talks with the Scottish champions at the weekend over a potential move to Parkhead, and is said to be keen on joining fellow countryman Marcelo Saracchi as he targets a place in Marcelo Bielsa’s squad for next summer’s World Cup.
Currently playing in the Brazilian top flight for Red Bull Bragantino, he scored nine goals for the club last season, and would become Celtic’s second signing of the January window following the arrival of AFC Bournemouth full-back Julian Araujo last week.
Meanwhile, Celtic have also confirmed that the exit of Japanese defender Hayato Inamura has returned to his homeland to sign a season-long loan deal with FC Tokyo. The 23-year-old has made just one competitive Celtic appearance since arriving in the summer, playing the full 90 minutes of a 3-0 league win over Livingston earlier in the campaign.
Rangers given loan hope
Rangers head coach Danny Rohl is ‘hopeful’ of completing a loan deal for Emil Bohinen, son of former Norway international Lars, as he looks to bolster his midfield options during this month’s transfer window. The 26-year-old is currently on loan to Venezia from Serie A outfit Genoa, but has struggled for regular game time, making just one league start since his arrival in the summer.
Despite struggling to impress at the Pier Luigi Penzo Stadium, several clubs have been credited with an interest in the player, with Venezia set to terminate his loan deal. Despite interest from clubs in Italy and the Netherlands, reports claim Bohinen would favour a move to Ibrox as he looks to kick-start his career after a disappointing first half of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Rangers are reportedly set to recall winger Oscar Cortes from his loan at Sporting Gijon after he made just eight appearances for the Spanish second tier outfit. The 22-year-old joined the club on a season-long loan deal in the summer, but has failed to impress at El Molinon, and is now scheduled to return to Ibrox. As per a report from journalist Cesar Luis Merlo, the Colombian is now a target for Huracan, with the Argentinian side hoping to sign Cortes on a one-year loan, which includes the option to make the deal permanent, ahead of their league season starting later this month.
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