The Rumour Mill: Friday’s football transfer news and gossip

Published on 24/08/2012 12:39

In today’s Rumour Mill: Rangers ponder move for Swedish international as Greek defender agrees deal; Michael Laudrup says Ki Sung Yeung ‘important’ for Swansea; SPL make belated payment to clubs; plus the rest of the day’s football news and gossip.

Rangers ‘to move for Swedish striker’

Rangers are preparing a £200,000 bid for Swedish international Daniel Larsson - the Malmo striker whose winning goal knocked them out of the Champions League last season. The 25-year-old is out of contract at the end of the year. (Express)

• Ally McCoist is monitoring former Dundee United midfielder Morgaro Gomis. The Senegal international has fallen out of favour at Birmingham and they could let him go without a fee to Rangers, although his wages could prove a stumbling block in the deal. (Sun)

• Rangers have agreed a deal to sign Greek defender Anestis Argyriou, after he impressed during a trial spell. (Mail)

• Former Rangers striker David Healy has joined Bury. (Express)

• Defenders Carlos Bocanegra and Kirk Broadfoot are likely to leave Rangers, while Maurice Edu will also depart although a move to Stoke seems unlikely after Tony Pulis agreed a deal to Tottenham’s Tom Huddlestone on loan. (Express)

Laudrup hails Ki signing

Swansea are on the verge of signing Celtic midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng after the player arrived in Wales for a medical today. New Swans boss Michael Laudrup said: “I would like to wait before everything is signed and sealed but the deal should go through, he is an important player for us to have in the midfield”. (Various)

McGregor could be fit for qualifiers

Scotland have been boosted by the news that goalkeeper Allan McGregor has returned to training after suffering a groin injury in the friendly against Australia. The Besiktas keeper should now be available for the double header against Serbia and Macedonia at Hampden next month. (Sun)

SPL make belated payment to clubs

The Scottish Premier League have paid delayed broadcasting and sponsorship it owed to the 12 member clubs. Around £350,000 will reach each club’s bank account today. Normally they would receive £700,000 at this stage but the reduction in TV money and the fact that the SPL is still waiting on all of its commercial income means they must settle for half the usual sum for now. (Herald)

Hibs boosted by arrival of Kuqi

Pat Fenlon, the Hibernian manager, is confident that he has assembled a squad which he can trust not to repeat the meek failings of last term. Shefki Kuqi became Hibs’ eighth signing of a “summer of change”, as the club’s own tagline puts it, last week, adding experience and determination to a dressing room which has sorely lacked such qualities. (Scotsman)

• Fenlon has warned Kuqi he faces a battle to win a place in the first team. (Record)

Hearts fall to late own goal

John McGlynn described his side’s defeat to Liverpool last night as “cruel”, after Hearts succumbed to a late own goal from Andy Webster in the first leg of their Europa League play-off tie. (Scotsman)

Well all but out of Euro tie

Motherwell can look forward to little else but some late Spanish summer sunshine when they visit Valencia next week, a trip which will assuredly end their involvement in continental competition for the season. La Liga outfit Levante ran out comfortable 2-0 winners at Fir Park last night. (Scotsman)

• Sheffield Wednesday are considering a £300,000 move for Motherwell defender Shaun Hutchinson, despite the fact that the club have already rejected a bid from Millwall. (Express)

Dons still determined to build new stadium

Aberdeen vice-chairman George Yule insists the club are still desperate to build a new stadium after the council rejected proposals for their new training complex. Ruling out a redevelopment of Pittodrie, Yule said: “We will now look at every option available to us because there is no new land in Aberdeen.” (Sun)

IN BRIEF

• St Johnstone have agreed a deal to sign Aberdeen winger Peter Pawlett on loan. (Sun)

• Two red cards handed out during last week’s Dundee derby have been rescinded after appeals by both clubs. (Various)

• Gordon Chisholm will take charge of East Fife this weekend as manager Gordon Durie continues to recover after being rushed to hospital last weekend. (Mail)

• Raith Rovers are considering a move for former Morton midfielder Steve Masterton. (Record)

• Cowdenbeath have signed former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid winger Pablo Navas-Alors. (Express)

• Hamilton are aiming to sign Celtic youngster Jamie Keatings on a temporary basis. (Record)

• Airdrie United could make a move for former St Mirren midfielder Burton O’Brien, who has been out of the game for a year. (Record)

• Arbroath have signed former Hearts defender Colin Hamilton. (Record)