Celtic are close to strengthening at both ends of the park with a striker and goalkeeper both expected to sign in the coming hours, meanwhile reports in Italy suggest the Parkhead club will also strengthen in midfield after agreeing a deal to bring Martin Ødegaard to the club from Real Madrid.
Christian Nade also looks to be heading back to the top flight of Scottish football while a number of lower league clubs have added to their squads.
Here’s a quick look at the latest transfer news from across the country…
- Celtic have apparently won the race for the loan signature of the most promising youngster in world football. According to Italian media outlet Tutto Mercato, the Hoops have beaten off competition from a number of Spanish clubs to secure the loan signing of Real Madrid youngster Martin Ødegaard, 16. Celtic boss Ronny Deila gave Ødegaard his Stromsgodset debut at the tender age of 15 and previously tried to sign him on a permanent deal before Ødegaard opted to join Madrid for reportedly £80,000 per week. (Tutto Mercato)
- Celtic are on the verge of completing a deal for Nadir Ciftci after the Hoops agreed a fee, believed to be around £1.5million, with Dundee United for their star man.
The Hoops will now discuss personal terms with the Turkish attacker and a deal is expected to be finalised within the next 48 hours. (Daily Record)
- Ciftci is expected to be the second Celtic signing of the week after Belgian goalkeeper Logan Bailly arrived in Glasgow to finalise a move to the Parkhead side.
The 29-year-old OH Leuven keeper will provide experienced back-up for Craig Gordon. (The Scotsman)
- Hearts have turned down the chance to sign midfielder Mergim Bajraktari.
The Swiss-born Albanian 22-year-old did not do enough during a trial spell to earn a deal with the Jambos. (Evening News)
- Christian Nade is set for a return to the top flight of Scottish football after Hamilton Accies offered the former Sheffield United, Hearts, Dundee and Raith Rovers striker a deal. (The Scotsman)
- Dumbarton could add former Falkirk fan favourite Pedro Moutinho in a player/under-20s manager role. Colin Nish previously held the same role at the club before moving on to Cowdenbeath.
- St Mirren are close to completing the signing of 6′ 6″ Danish defender Mads Ibenfeldt from Southend following a trial spell. (The Herald)
- Conrad Balatoni is hoping to join Dutch side NEC Nijmegen after rejecting a new Partick Thistle deal. (Sun)
- Former Dundee midfielder Jim McAlister has joined St Johnstone on trial.
Latest completed deals
- Former Ross County and Motherwell midfielder Paul Lawson has signed for Highland League side Formartine United.
- Celtic target Jelle Vossen, 26, has signed for Burnley
- Dumbarton have completed a double signing with former Hamilton Academical and Wigan Athletic midfielder Jon Routledge penning a one-year deal and 19-year-old Celtic defender Calum Waters joining on a one-year loan.
- Alloa have also been at the double today – bringing in Omar Kader, 29, from Forfar Athletic and former Rapid Bucharest youth, Catalin Paun, 27, from Stirling University.
- Berwick Rangers have signed former Elgin and Musselburgh player Graeme Beveridge.
- Fraserburgh have signed former Peterhead youth Calum Reid from Peterhead after a successful loan spell at the club and have promoted Edward Flynn, Marc Summers and Stuart Kemp from the under-17s to the first team.
- Scotland international James McArthur has signed a new three year contract with Crystal Palace.
And down south…
- Manchester City have signed 18-year-old Turkish international forward Enes Unal from Bursaspor for an undisclosed fee.
- Southampton have signed defender Cuco Martina, 25, from Dutch FC Twente on a two-year deal.
- Manchester United are looking to sign Italian right back Matteo Darmian from Serie A side Torino, with reports in Italy suggesting a £12.7m deal has already been agreed.
- Southampton have lined up Feyenoord midfielder Jordy Clasie, 24, as a replacement for Morgan Schneiderlin if the Frenchman joins Manchester United. (Southern Daily Echo)
- Manchester City’s chase of Liverpool youngster Raheem Sterling, 20, continues. The Etihad outfit are looking to complete a £50million deal ahead of the club’s Australian tour. (Daily Star)
- Newcastle are looking to sign Schalke’s defender Joel Matip, 23, for £10million. (Evening Chronicle)
- Belgium striker Christian Benteke, 24, is expected to tell Aston Villa he wants to leave in an attempt to push through a move to Liverpool. (Guardian)
- Sunderland and Middlesbrough are vying for the signature of West Ham midfielder Stewart Downing, 30. (Daily Mail)
