Rumour Mill: Transfer deadline day

VIRGIL van Dijk is set to complete a £11.5m deal to join Southampton, Celtic are closing in on the capture of two new signings, and Hibs want Chelsea youngster Islam Feruz on a season’s loan deal.
Hibs want Scotland youth international Islam Feruz. Picture: Gary HutchisonHibs want Scotland youth international Islam Feruz. Picture: Gary Hutchison
Hibs want Scotland youth international Islam Feruz. Picture: Gary Hutchison

Southampton to complete £11.5m deal for Virgil van Dijk

Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk will undergo a medical ahead of an agreed upon £11.5m transfer to Southampton.

The south coast club have been chasing the highly rated defender for a year and appear to have finally landed their man.

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The fee is set to be £10m up front with an extra £1.5m in add-ons. Van Dijk has agreed to a four-year contract with the Saints. (Daily Star)

Follow our transfer deadline day live blog for all the latest deals. Updates will begin at 12 noon.

Hibs look to snap up Feruz on loan deal

Hibernian are hopeful of concluding a deal to sign Chelsea youngster Islam Feruz on a season-long loan.

The former Celtic attacker spent time out on loan with OFI Crete and Blackpool last season, and Chelsea are once again keen for the player to earn some first-team experience.

Feruz has represented Scotland at youth levels from under-16s right through to the under-21s. (Daily Mail)

Celtic close in on deal for Ryan Christie

Celtic are closing in on the signing of Ryan Christie after Inverness gave the Scotland Under-21 international permission to speak to the Scottish champions.

Celtic had an initial bid for the 20-year-old rejected on Friday but now look set to conclude a deal before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

An Inverness statement read: “As a result of a further approach from Celtic FC, and following discussions with the management team and the player, the board of Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC can confirm that Ryan Christie has been given leave to travel to Glasgow to discuss personal terms.” (The Scotsman)

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• Celtic are also close to signing highly-rated Croatian defender Jozo Šimunović.

The Scotsman understands that a fee has been agreed between Celtic and Dinamo Zagreb, with personal terms still needing to be finalised with Šimunović, while an application for a work permit has been submitted. (The Scotsman)

Jason Denayer joins Galatasaray on loan

Any hopes of Celtic re-signing Manchester City centre back Jason Denayer were extinguished yesterday when the player joined Turkish side Galatasaray on a season-long loan.

The young Belgian excelled during his time with the Scottish champions and was rewarded with a new five-year deal at City. However, he was pushed down the pecking order at the Etihad following the arrival of Nicolas Otamendi.

City were once again keen to see the player earn first-team experience and preferred Istanbul as a destination for the player rather than a return to Parkhead. (Sporting Life)

Scepovic exits Celtic Park to join Getafe

Stefan Scepovic has left Celtic to join Spanish side Getafe on a season-long loan.

Scepovic, who has made just one substitute appearance for the Hoops this season, has previously played in Spain with Sporting Gijon, where he scored 23 goals in 39 matches.

But he has found first-team football hard to come by at Celtic, making just 26 appearances in total and finding the net six times. (The Scotsman)

Derek McInnes: Shay Logan staying at Aberdeen

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Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes has insisted full-back Shay Logan will not be leaving Pittodrie this transfer window.

The right-back has been the subject of transfer rumours throughout the last month, rumours which intensified when the Dons snapped up Liverpool youngster Ryan McLaughlin on a short-term loan until January.

McInnes stated 19-year-old McLaughlin was brought in to compete with Logan for a place in the Aberdeen starting XI, not to replace him. (Daily Record)

Martin Woods re-joins Ross County

Shrewsbury midfielder Martin Woods has had his contract terminated by mutual consent and joined Scottish Premiership side Ross County.

The 29-year-old only joined the Sky Bet League One outfit in the summer and made five appearances but requested a release from his deal to attend to personal issues in his native Scotland.

He pens a two-year deal with the Staggies, with the option of a third, returning to the club where he spent last season. (The Scotsman)

News in brief

• Dundee United have signed the son of former Tannadice favourite Christian Dailly. 16-year-old Harvey Dailly joins the club’s development squad after agreeing a two-year contract. (BBC)

• Hamilton have released left-back Kieran MacDonald after the 22-year-old made just eight appearances for the club following his move from Clyde last summer. (BBC)

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• Dundee have signed Aston Villa winger Riccardo Calder on a short-term loan until January. (BBC)

• Inverness CT are close to agreeing a deal with Miles Storey to bring the 21-year-old striker on a loan deal from Swindon. (BBC)

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