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

Published on 23/08/2012 09:15

In today’s Rumour Mill: Steven Fletcher to become £15m man; Stewart Regan to press ahead with league restructuring plans; James McFadden says no to Motherwell return; plus the rest of today’s transfer news and gossip

Steven Fletcher set to become most expensive Scot as Sunderland look to tie-up £15m deal

Wolves striker Steven Fletcher looks set to sign for Premier League rivals Sunderland for £15 million - a record transfer fee for a Scottish player. The 25-year-old will put pen to paper today on a long term deal with Martin O’Neill’s side according to the Sun. The record for a Scottish player’s transfer free was previously held by Craig Gordon - also bought by Sunderland - and Alan Hutton, who moved from Rangers to Tottenham, each going for £9 million.

However, the Daily Record reports that the fee is closer to £12 million, though the fee could add up to £14 million with add-ons. (The Sun, Daily Record)

Stewart Regan’s league shake-up means Rangers could be fast-tracked to second tier

SFA chief Stewart Regan has revealed that plans to restructure the Scottish game will be kicked off today. Although no firm proposals have been outlined, a previous draft - which was rejected by SFL clubs when the SFA tried to negotiate a deal that would have seen Rangers parachuted into the First Division - would have seen the SPL become a 16-team league, with two divisions below, meaning Rangers would have had a quicker route back to the SPL. Regan said that, whatever the proposals, they would be implemented “ideally” by the start of next season. (Daily Mail)

James McFadden says no to Motherwell return

James McFadden has turned down the chance to return to Motherwell after talks. But manager Stuart McCall insisted finances weren’t an issue, saying that his board were “willing to stump up an amount for [him]”. McCall admitted that McFadden, who is a free agent, has since had two bids from English clubs, and will likely move back down south.

“I spoke to James on Friday and we had a good football chat. It was open,” said McCall.

“Since then James has spoken to people who are a lot higher up than I am at Motherwell and who deal with the purse strings. But I don’t think the outcome was favourable.” (Sun)

Rangers’ Chris Hegarty: We can win the quadruple

Rangers centre-back Chris Hegarty believes that Rangers have the ability to win all four trophies available to them this season. Hegarty, a Northern Ireland Under-21 international, said of the possible four-trophy haul: “I don’t see why not. It would tell everyone we’re here and what the club is all about. The team spirit is incredible and everyone is buzzing in training. The lads want it more than ever to prove a point to everyone after what’s happened to the club.” (Record)

Aberdeen’s bid to leave Pittodrie foiled by city council vote

Aberdeen’s hopes of leaving Pittodrie stadium have been dealt a serious blow as the club’s development proposals were turned down in a city council vote. The club were denied permission to proceed with their Calder Park development, a sports complex that would have been used as a training ground alongside a new stadium in Loirston. Chairman Stewart Milne said that voting down the Calder Park proposal also jeopardised their stadium plans.


“Disappointment and frustration do not come close to how my colleagues and I are feeling right now. As was made crystal clear, the Calder Park development has been designed as part of the master planning exercise to be completely integral with the new AFC stadium at Loirston and this decision has effectively also killed off that development.”

IN BRIEF

• Helsinborgs full-back Jere Uronen has been ridiculed by the Swedish press after admitting that he was too busy fixing his hair to defend the goals that cost his side a 2-0 defeat to Celtic on Tuesday.

“Fixing my hair is a reflex I always do without even thinking. I must do it 200 times a game and I don’t remember doing it this time. It doesn’t mean I don’t see things proplery but maybe I’ll ask my girlfriend to cut my hair.” (Record)

• Hearts goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald may yet feature for Hearts tonight against Liverpool after becoming a father. MacDonald was all but ruled out of the tie before his daughter Darragh was born in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary yesterday.

“I’m delighted for Jamie and his partner and all of his family,” said McGlynn. “I’ll speak to him later and see how he is.”