Celtic confirm medical, Rangers bid rejected, major Scott McTominay enquiry made - Scottish transfer news

In your Wednesday morning transfer bulletin, we have all the latest reports, rumours and completed deals with news from Rangers, Celtic, the Scotland national team and beyond.

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Livingston goalkeeper chased

Livingston are set to face a battle to hang onto goalkeeper Jerome Prior this summer, amid mounting interest from EFL Championship side Queens Park Rangers. The 30-year-old stopper was his side’s standout performer last term, with his performances at Almondvale praised despite his side’s limp fight against relegation.

And it appears his displays did not go unnoticed, with R’s boss Julien Stephan keen on signing the French goalkeeper this summer. According to a report from Sky Sports, the Loftus Road side could face competition for his signature, though, with “several” sides in England keeping tabs on the player’s situation. It is believed that Prior is available for as little as £100,000.

Rangers bid rejected

Rangers have had a bid for long-term midfield target Jens Hjerto-Dahl rejected by Tromso, as per reports in Norway. First linked to the club during the January transfer window, the 20-year-old has seen his stock rise in recent months after an explosive start to the Eliteserien season, in which he already has 12 goal contributions in as many games.

Named as one of the 100 best players under the age of 20 by CIES Football Observatory after the Tromso academy product burst onto the scene during the 2022/23 season as a teenager, he has already featured over 100 times for his hometown side and been compared to fellow countryman, Martin Odegaard.

Linked to English Premier League duo Brighton and Sunderland in the past, Hjerto-Dahl has a serious interest in his services this summer. However, if Rangers want to win the race for his signature, it appears they’ll need to increase their opening offer of £5.3million, with a report by iTromso stating that the Romssa Arena outfit are determined not to sell.

Meanwhile, Rangers are still in discussions with Partizan Belgrade over a move for 20-year-old defensive midfielder Vanja Dragojevic. The Serbian international is understood to have been the subject of a bid from the Glasgow giants last week, as they look to bolster their midfield options ahead of the new campaign.

Major McTominay enquiry made

Scotland international Scott McTominay has turned down two “huge” offers from clubs in the Saudi Pro League this week and has reiterated his desire to stay with Napoli this summer amid looming interest in his services. However, the Serie A club could be about to face a serious battle to hang onto their star man after it emerged that Real Madrid’s new manager, Jose Mourinho, is mulling over a bid for the midfielder.

The 63-year-old is understood to be a big fan of the Scottish talisman, having handed him his debut for Manchester United during his spell in charge at Old Trafford in 2017. A highly influential manager in McTominay’s transition from the academy to a first-team regular with Manchester United, the Portuguese head coach is considering launching a bid to bring the Ballon d’Or nominee to the Bernabeu. According to Italian transfer journalist Nicolo Schira, the La Liga giants are yet to launch an official bid for McTominay, but have made direct inquiries to Napoli over the 29-year-old.

Celtic confirm medical

Celtic are closing in on their first signing of the summer, with manager Martin O’Neill confirming that Qarabag striker Camilo Duran is due for a medical after the two clubs agreed a fee for his services. The 24-year-old striker, who scored five goals in the Champions League last season, is expected to complete his transfer to the club in the coming days after the Scottish champions succeeded in their summer pursuit of the Colombian, having agreed to pay an initial price of around £3million, with add-ons.

The former Portimonense player was impressive in his debut season for the Azerbaijan Premier League champions, but is set to leave after just one season at the Azersun Arena, with O’Neill confirming his imminent arrival ahead of last night’s 1-1 pre-season friendly draw with Shelbourne in Dublin. Speaking to Celtic TV, the 74-year-old boss said: "We've got the young lad Duran - he is doing a medical as we speak. If he's not doing it tonight, he'll be doing it tomorrow morning."

Meanwhile, Celtic are set to lose talented Scotland youth international Dara Jikiemi to English Premier League giants Liverpool, after the 16-year-old put pen to paper on a long-term deal with the Anfield club. Currently captain of the Scotland Under-16 side, the teenage centre-back will link up with his new side this week and has agreed a five-year contract.