SPFL transfer latest: Celtic star free to leave, Ex-Rangers kid’s big move, Dons approached for Hayes

By Reporter

January 11 2017, 3:12 pm

There’s nothing quite like a good transfer story to get the adrenaline going – and thankfully, we have a lots of those today.

Huge money moves, big name transfers and the transfer window finally (finally!) open.

Here are today’s top stories…

Top Stories

Aberdeen chief executive Duncan Fraser is confident the Dons will be able to play hardball should English clubs come calling for players during the January transfer market. (Press and Journal)

Arsenal midfielder Jon Toral is expected to become Rangers’ second loan signing of the January transfer window. (Various)

Midfielder Ross Draper says his Caley Thistle team-mates must look to their next league opponents Partick Thistle for inspiration in their attempt to climb off the bottom of the Premiership. (Press and Journal)

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will not stand in Nir Bitton’s way should the midfielder wants to leave Glasgow. (Daily Record)

Hearts left-back Faycal Rherras is eager to win a move to England’s Premier League. (Daily Record)

Aberdeen have denied claims they were forced to reject a bid from Championship side Cardiff City for Jonny Hayes. (Press and Journal)

However, Dons boss McInnes admitted today that there has been contact from Cardiff over Hayes. (Press and Journal)

South of the Border

Bournemouth are considering a loan move for out-of-favour Chelsea captain John Terry, 36. (Daily Telegraph)

Arsenal are becoming increasingly concerned midfielder Mesut Ozil and forward Alexis Sanchez, both 28, will not sign new deals and will leave in the summer. (Daily Star)

Paris St-Germain will allow forward Jese Rodriguez, 23, and defensive midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak, 26, to leave. The duo are valued at £55m and news of their availability has alerted Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and West Ham. (Sun)

Fiorentina are keen to sign West Ham striker Simone Zaza, 25, as a potential replacement for 29-year-old Nikola Kalinic, who is close to a £42m move to Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjian. (London Evening Standard)

Borussia Dortmund are in talks with Arsenal over a deal for 19-year-old former Rangers kid midfielder Gedion Zelalem. (Guardian)

Liverpool midfielder James Milner, 31, who has played at left-back for most of this season, has been the second-best full-back in Europe, according to research. (CIES Football Observatory)

And Finally…

Aberdeen chief executive Duncan Fraser is confident the Dons will be able to play hardball should English clubs come calling for players during the January transfer market.

Manager Derek McInnes took a call from Cardiff City counterpart Neil Warnock last week about midfielder Jonny Hayes, but there has been no bid and McInnes does not want one.

Sustained success at Pittodrie will bring the attention of others but Fraser said: “We can play hardball if clubs come in for our players. We are about building the strength of the squad, and we know the value of our players. We want to strengthen and are not in the business of losing our good players.