Rumour Mill: Celtic eye Musa Muhammed and Chris Gunter | Ambrose to Bayer?

Chris Gunter, left, and Musa Muhammed have been linked with Celtic. Pictures: Getty Images

Celtic linked with Musa Muhammed

CELTIC have been linked with 19-year-old Istanbul Basaksehir right back Musa Muhammed, as Brendan Rodgers seeks to solve his defensive crisis.

Centre half duo Jozo Simunovic and Dedryck Boyata are both injured while Charlie Mulgrew is still to sign a new deal.

And the agency who brought Efe Ambrose to Celtic are keen for his compatriot Muhammed, who has two years left on his contract, to join Celtic.

Reportedly a target for French side Lorient, Muhammed has been linked with Chelsea, Hamburg, Liverpool, Manchester United and Rosenborg in the past three years. (African Football)

Walsall slap £900k price on Bradshaw

RANGERS’ pursuit of Walsall striker Tom Bradshaw has hit a bump after the Saddlers slapped a £900,000 price on his head.

Rangers have been chasing the Welsh striker, who scored 40 goals in the last two seasons for Walsall, but could be put off by the fee wanted by Jon Whitney. (Various)

Hoops target Gunter

CELTIC are also ready to trigger a £1 million release clause in a bid to bring Reading defender Chris Gunter to Parkhead.

Gunter, who is currently in France with the Wales squad at the Euros, has one year left on his contract at the Madejski Stadium and can perform at both right and left back.

He had spells at Cardiff, Spurs and Nottingham Forest before joining the Royals in 2012. Still only 26, he has made more than 140 appearances for Reading and over 70 for Wales. (Daily Mail)

Liverpool price Allen at £14m

CELTIC could be put off their pursuit of Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen after the Anfield side priced the Welsh ace at £14 million.

Allen, who has also been linked with Swansea, emerged as a possible target for the Hoops following Brendan Rodgers’ appointment. (Various)

Oxley set for Southend switch

MARK Oxley is to hold talks with Southend boss Phil Brown over a potential move to Roots Hall.

The Hibs ‘keeper, who lost his place to Conrad Logan towards the end of last season, looks likely to exit Easter Road to reunite with his former boss at Hull City.

With Logan reportedly unlikely to extend his contract, Hibs head coach Neil Lennon is left with Otso Virtanen as his only senior ‘keeper going into the Europa League qualifiers. (Various)

Ambrose linked with Bundesliga switch

EFE Ambrose has emerged as a surprise target for German side Bayer Leverkusen.

The Nigerian defender, who isn’t expected to feature in Brendan Rodgers’ plans, has been linked with a £1.5 million move to Bayer.

But Rodgers could be reluctant to sell given his depleted backline ahead of the Champions League qualifiers. (Daily Record)

Warburton ‘amazed’ at Hodson flying under the radar

MARK Warburton has admitted he is ‘amazed’ that new signing Lee Hodson has not played at a higher level, after Rangers snapped up the Northern Ireland defender from MK Dons.

Clough linked with Celtic?

BOLTON striker Zach Clough has been linked with a move to Celtic, but Norwich City are apparently favourites to sign the 21-year-old forward.

Clough has bagged 12 goals in 31 starts for the Trotters and has spent his entire career with Bolton.

Although predominantly a striker, he can also fill in as an attacking midfielder. (Various)

McGhee to join Boro on loan

HEARTS defender Jordan McGhee is to join Middlesbrough on a season-long loan deal.

The deal also gives the English Premier League newcomers first option to sign McGhee next summer.

The 19-year-old saw a loan move to the Riverside in January collapse after the paperwork wasn’t completed on time. (Evening News)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Hearts will hold contract talks with Swedish goalie Viktor Noring after he played the 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Cowdenbeath

• Celtic defeated Sturm Graz 1-0 in the Hoops’ opening pre-season friendly, with the likes of Scott Allan, Saidy Janko and Nadir Ciftci all featuring

• Ross Laidlaw is hopeful of agreeing a deal at Hibs, after playing in the Easter Road side’s 3-1 friendly win over Hawick Royal Albert at the weekend

• Sheffield Wednesday have been told to cough up £15 million if they want to sign Fulham’s Scottish forward Ross McCormack

Rumour Mill: Celtic eye Musa Muhammed and Chris Gunter | Ambrose to Bayer? | Rangers face Bradshaw hurdle