Rangers splash cash, Celtic kingpins discuss signings, 2031 deal 'agreed' - Scottish transfer news

The league season has started and there are also European commitments on the horizon after the UEFA play-off draws were made at the start of the week.

Here are the top transfer stories this Tuesday morning:

Rangers swoop for winger

Rangers are set to sign winger Daisuke Yokota in the coming days after a deal was reportedly agreed with German side Hannover.

Yokota is a 26-year-old Japanese player who has spent the last season with the Bundesliga 2 outfit. It is being claimed that Rangers will spend roughly £3 million for the wide man.

Uncapped by his country, Yokota started his career with Kawasaki Frontale in his homeland and moved to Europe as a teenager. He has played for Carl Zeiss Jena II, Valmeira, Gornik Zabrze, Gent and Kaiserslautern.

Rangers manager Derek McInnes has made no secret of his desire to land a winger during this transfer window and could have Yokota in place for Sunday’s Premiership match at home to Hibs.

O’Neill to hold Celtic talks with Nicholson

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill believes the club are edging closer to new signings and is due to hold talks with chief executive Michael Nicholson today to discuss transfers.

The Premiership champions are keen to sign midfielder Mika Baur from Paderborn and Frosinone’s winger Fares Ghedjemis, while West Ham have had two bids rejected for Arne Engels and Everton are keen on right-back Alistair Johnston.

Speaking after last night’s 1-0 win over Dundee, O’Neill believed the club are closing in on players. “I still think that we are,” he said. “I will speak to Michael tomorrow tomorrow morning. See where we are. I spoke to him briefly today. But it was about just, let's concentrate on the game tonight. So tomorrow is another day.”

O’Neill also reiterated that he would like new additions before facing LASK in the Champions League.

Hammers keen to land Engels now

West Ham are set to step up their pursuit of Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, according to reports on the continent.

The Hammers, who were relegated to the English Championship last season, are rebuilding for a return to the Premier League and have identified Engels as a top transfer target.

It is understood that two bids have been rejected by Celtic, who are holding out for a fee close to the £25 million mark.

Sky Sports Germany claim that West Ham will come back to the table this week, with the player having agreed a deal in principle with the London side until 2031.