Celtic man speaks out, Lewis Ferguson latest amid Rangers links, Hearts close to deal - Scottish transfers
Transfer stories across Scottish football as business heats up during window
Another day, another glut of transfer stories as clubs across Scotland try to get business done before the start of the season.
Today it is Hearts and Celtic that dominate the headlines - plus the latest on Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson amid those Rangers links.
Here’s your latest instalment of transfer news, rumours and gossip from the Scottish Premiership:
Hearts close in on Mendy
French midfielder Laurent Mendy is on the brink of joining Hearts after the Tynecastle side agreed a fee in the region of £500,000 with Forest Green Rovers.
Mendy is seen as a replacement for Cammy Devlin, who has left Hearts to join Rangers, and the 29-year-old was close to moving to Hearts in January. Gorgie chiefs have rekindled their interest and a move is now imminent.
Hearts are currently in Austria preparing for their Champions League second qualifying round first leg against Sturm Graz and head coach Wouter Vrancken gave an update on the situation with Mendy.
“I think it's more realistic to think it will be after the Sturm Graz game to be possible to play,” said the Belgian. “I think it’s a type of profile that is more of a defensive midfielder, a six actually, profile-wise - but it's up to the club and him to find some agreement. And if it's not then there are other players.”
Ferguson returns to Bologna
In-demand Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson has returned to pre-season training with his Italian Serie A side Bologna.
Ferguson was one of Scotland’s most impressive performers at the World Cup and is reportedly courting interest from other clubs in Italy, while Rangers were supposedly keen to do to a big-money deal to ensure a return to Scotland.
The 26-year-old did not feature prominently for Bologna last season under head coach Vincenzo Italiano despite being club captain and it remains to be seen what the long-term future holds for the ex-Aberdeen midfielder.
Nevertheless, reports in Italy say that Ferguson was back with Bologna on Monday and underwent a personalised training session to prepare him for pre-season work.
Just on brink of exit
Motherwell forward Elijah Just’s move to Swansea City is expected to be confirmed shortly after the player underwent his medical with the Championship side.
The Swans hope that Just can join the first-team squad at their Austrian pre-season training camp after agreeing a fee, believed to be in the region of £5 million, for the New Zealand internationalist.
Just shone at the World Cup, scoring three times for his country.
Meanwhile, Motherwell have added Burton Albion defender Dylan Williams to their squad and he could make his debut against HB Torshavn in the Conference League on Thursday.
Latest on Celtic’s pursuits
Celtic remain interested in Oviedo’s Egyptian winger Haissem Hassan, who is expected to leave the Spanish outfit in the next month.
Hassan, who is valued in the region of £10 million, represented Egypt at the World Cup and after Oviedo were relegated from La Liga last season, he is primed for a departure, with current boss Julian Calero braced for giving youth its chance next season. Hassan is a potential replacement in Celtic’s forward line for Daizen Maeda, who is wanted by Ipswich Town.
Celtic have so far made one signing this summer, bringing in Colombian forward Camilo Duran from Azeri side Qarabag. They are also reportedly interested in Bodo/Glimt forward Kasper Hogh.
Nawrocki’s regrets at Celtic
Former Celtic defender Maik Nawrocki says there are “moments and decisions that I would have preferred to be handled differently” during his spell at Parkhead. The Polish centre-half left for French side Lens last week, bringing to an end a three-year spell in Glasgow where he was on the first-team periphary.
Taking to Instagram, Nawrocki wrote: “Dear Celts, unfortunately, my time at the club has come to an end. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this huge club.
“To work every day in such a special environment like Celtic, to experience the atmosphere at Celtic Park week by week and to represent this club in one of the biggest derbies in the world is something I will always be thankful for.
“At the same time, there were moments and decisions that I would have preferred to be handled differently, both on and off the pitch.
“Nevertheless, I always gave everything I had and tried to help the team whenever I had the chance. A big thank you to all the fans, my teammates and the staff members. I always felt loved and respected by all of you and I will always be grateful for that. I wish everyone at the club all the best and every success in the future.”
Saints deal in Mikulic
St Johnstone defender Bozo Mikulic has agreed a new two-year contract with the McDiarmid Park side.
The 29-year-old centre-half only made one appearance for Saints last season due to an ACL injury, but McDiarmid Park boss Simo Valakari has kept faith with the Croat for the return to the Premiership.
“I’m happy,” said Mikulic. “There is just real happiness for everything that is next. What I came through last season with the injury was the worst period of my career. It felt like the worst scenario for me, for any player. But now my body has been feeling very good.
“I’m very thankful for this chance. There is great excitement to be back in the Scottish Premiership .We have great characters and boys in our dressing room who are ready to build on the momentum of what happened last season.”
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