Celtic given encouragement, Rangers ‘enter talks’, Falkirk eye EPL youngster - Scottish transfer news
All the latest Scottish transfer news on Friday morning - including reports from Rangers, Celtic, Dundee United and beyond.
The Scottish Premiership transfer window has now been open for well over a week, and the completed deals are becoming more frequent - alongside a host of reports and rumours from across the top flight and beyond.
In your Friday morning transfer bulletin, we’ll be bringing you all the latest news from around the country, with reports from Rangers, Celtic, Hearts the Scotland national team, and beyond.
Dundee United ‘close’ to signings
Dundee United head coach Jim Goodwin is hopeful that he can add further names to his squad in the coming days, admitting he is close to getting two deals over the line. The Tannadice boss has had a busy summer so far, welcoming a host of new arrivals, and admits he expects to bolster his squad further in the days ahead.
“There are conversations going on all the time about adding new players,” he told The Courier. “Everyone is working hard to make it happen. Negotiations are happening and I’m just waiting to get word from the head of recruitment that deals are done. Hopefully we’ll get another one or two over the line soon.
“We are still a little bit light, and the squad doesn’t have the depth we want to have for the season ahead. We have done good business up to now, getting half a dozen over the line at this stage. When you look at it, we’re ahead of some other clubs in that regard as we stand right now.
Falkirk eye EPL youngster
Falkirk are hoping to tie up a deal for young midfielder Finley Barbrook after he was made available on loan by newly promoted English Premier League side Ipswich Town. The Bairns head coach, John McGlynn, is hoping to push through a deal for the 21-year-old as he continues to bolster his squad after achieving a top-half finish in the club’s first season back in the Scottish Premiership last term, according to a report from the Daily Record.
Having lost Dylan Tait on a free transfer to Dundee United earlier this summer, Falkirk are now targeting reinforcements in the centre of the park, and the highly rated Barbrook is viewed as an exciting addition, with his parent club hoping to provide him with more regular first-team action after a positive spell on loan to Colchester United last year.
The club found plenty of success going down the route of exciting young talent from across the border last year, with Aston Villa’s Ben Broggio and Swansea City duo Kyrell Wilson and Filip Lissah having positive impacts at the Falkirk Stadium during their loan spells.
Rangers ‘enter talks’ as ex-Ibrox man leaves club
Former Rangers defender Connor Goldson has entered the free agent market after leaving Cypriot club Aris Limassol by mutual consent. The 33-year-old former Ibrox favourite has spent the last two seasons at the Alphamega Stadium, playing alongside ex-Rangers centre-back Leon Balogun last year, but has opted to depart the club this summer, the club have confirmed.
Goldson was part of the Rangers squad that won the Scottish Premiership title during the 2020/21 season, while he also helped the club win both the Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cups, playing over 300 games in all competitions during his six year stay at the club.
“Aris Limassol announces the departure of Connor Goldson,” said the club via a statement on their official website. “Both parties having agreed to terminate their collaboration by mutual consent. The 33-year-old English central defender joined our club in the summer of 2024 and made a total of 62 appearances during his two seasons with Aris.”
Meanwhile, reports claim that Bologna have “opened talks” with Rangers over a deal for Belgium international Nico Raskin. The 25-year-old has been linked with a move to the Serie A side and newly promoted English Premier League outfit Hull City, and has two years left on his current contract at Ibrox.
Celtic given Engels encouragement
Celtic have been given encouragement in their bid to keep Arne Engels at the club after news emerged that Nottingham Forest had cooled their interest in the midfielder and placed ‘other targets’ ahead of him. The 22-year-old midfielder was the subject of a failed £25million bid from the English Premier League outfit on deadline day in February, with manager Martin O’Neill desperate to hang onto Engels, who went on to play a big role in Celtic securing a fifth successive title win.
It was believed that Forest retained an interest in the playmaker going into the summer, and those rumours ramped up in recent weeks after it was revealed that the club were likely to lose key midfielder Elliot Anderson in a £130million deal to Manchester City this summer. However, according to reports, they have now put a move for Engels on the back burner and turned their attention elsewhere.
Meanwhile, former Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster has extended his stay at English Premier League outfit AFC Bournemouth, penning a one year deal with the club. “I'm pleased to be staying for another year at AFC Bournemouth,” said Forster upon confirmation of his new contract. “I've enjoyed my six months here and look forward to seeing what the group can achieve together going forward."
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