Excitement & nerves over Well's 'new-look approach'
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Scotsman
5 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Rangers eye La Liga ace and 39-cap Arsenal man as Celtic told to 'raise' bid for Serie A star
Latest transfer news and speculation across Scottish football Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Here is your Wednesday evening Scottish football transfer bulletin including interest in Scotland midfielder John McGinn, new names linked with Rangers and Celtic, Hibs bidding to sign a Zambian internationalist and Hearts making their ninth signing of the summer. John McGinn wanted Newcastle are reportedly weighing up a move for Aston Villa captain John McGinn. Eddie Howe is keen to bolster his midfield options after Sean Langstaff was sold to Leeds for £12million. And according to the Daily Mail, the Magpies boss has placed McGinn high on his list of targets. The Scotland midfielder, who has two years left on his contract, has already been the subject of interest from Everton. Villa boss Unai Emery does not want to lose his skipper, but Villa need to sell players this window with the report insinuating that McGinn could be ready for a fresh challenge after seven years in Birmingham. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Aston Villa captain John McGinn has emerged as a transfer target for Newcastle. | Getty Images Rangers eye La Liga ace and 39-cap Arsenal man Rangers have been linked with another two transfer targets after making winger Oliver Antman their ninth signing of the window earlier this week as Russell Martin's summer rebuild continues. Reports in Spain have credited the Ibrox side with an interest in Real Betis defender Nobel Mendy. Martin and sporting director Kevin Thelwell are said to be keen to sign the 20-year-old Frenchman, but a deal is not close as things stand. Mendy, a 6ft 2in left-sided centre-back, joined Betis from Paris FC in 2023 but has featured mostly for the B team, making only five first-team appearances. He was set to join PSV Eindhoven earlier this summer before the move break down to the Dutch side using up their quota for foreign imports. Rangers could still face competition for Mendy though with Rayo Vallecano and Club Brugge also credited with an interest in the defender. The Light Blues have also been linked with a move for 23-year-old Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein. The 36-times capped Estonia international spent last season on loan at Real Valladolid and is also said to be on the radar of La Liga side Sevilla. His only first-team appearance for Arsenal came in a 3-1 defeat to Brighton in the EFL Cup almost three years ago. Real Betis defender Nobel Mendy (left) is a reported transfer target for Rangers. (Photo by) | Getty Images Gunn signs for Forest Nottingham Forest have signed Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn on a one-year deal following his release from Norwich. Gunn, 29, who featured in every game for Scotland at Euro 2024, made 35 appearances for Norwich in the Sky Bet Championship last season and 172 in total during two spells at his hometown club. Forest said: 'Nottingham Forest is pleased to confirm the signing of Angus Gunn, who has signed a one-year-deal. Everyone at the club warmly welcomes Angus to the Forest family.' Gunn signed his first professional contract at Manchester City having started out at Norwich and also had a spell at Southampton before returning to Carrow Road in 2021. He has been capped 16 times by Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad United striker departs Dundee United striker Jort van der Sande has returned to the Netherlands to join second-tier side SC Cambuur on a permanent transfer. The 29-year-old forward failed to score in 35 appearances during his sole season at Tannadice. A club statement read: 'Everyone at Dundee United would like to thank Jort for his professionalism, commitment and contributions during his time in tangerine, as we extend our best wishes for his future endeavours.' Celtic must 'raise' bid for Serie A star Celtic have been credited with an interest in Slovakia international Adam Obert. Sardinian outlet L'Unione Sarda report that the Scottish champions have already made contact with Serie A side Cagliari regarding a potential transfer fee for the 22-year-old defender, with an initial proposal rejected. The report states: "The Slovakian defender, on the other hand, is wanted by Celtic, but even the champions of the last Scottish Premier League failed to reach the right figures to reach an agreement. A raise will be necessary to see them leave." A report in the Daily Record also claims that Celtic remain interested in Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha, with a possible return to the Japanese market also mooted following the summer arrivals of Shin Yamada and Hayato Inamura. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Adam Obert of Cagliari is a reported transfer target for Celtic. (Photo by) | Getty Images Hibs target Zambian midfielder Hibs are reportedly attempting to sign BSC Young Boys midfielder Miguel Chaiwa. The 21-year-old midfielder, who can also deputise in defence, has 11 caps for the Zambia national team. He has played in the Champions League with the Swiss club, featuring as a substitute against Celtic last season, but looks set to leave after being left out of the matchday squads for his club's opening two league fixtures. According to Hibs Observer, Hibs have entered negotiations with Young Boys over a move for Chaiwa, with French side Montpellier also credited with an interest. Hearts finally land Kabore Derek McInnes is confident Pierre Landry Kabore can build on his prolific stint in Estonia after the Burkina Faso forward was finally able to complete his transfer to Hearts on a three-year contract. The 24-year-old arrived in Edinburgh last month after the Jambos agreed a deal to sign him for an undisclosed fee, but he had to endure a longer wait than envisaged to get his work permit and was unable to feature in Monday's William Hill Premiership opener against Aberdeen. Hearts announced on Wednesday that the signing of Kabore, who made his international debut earlier this year, had now been formalised. McInnes was looking forward to being able to utilise a player who accumulated 33 goals and 10 assists in his 51 matches since moving to Estonian top-flight club JK Narva Trans from SOL FC of Ivory Coast at the start of 2024. 'It's obviously taken a bit longer than we'd have liked to get Landry in but he's here now and I'm pleased to get it done,' the manager told Hearts' website. His stats over the past couple of seasons speak for themselves so we're hoping he'll bring something a bit different to what we've currently got in our forward areas. He's a big, mobile guy and very adaptable in that he can play across the front, so that versatility is a big plus. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Daily Mail
5 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Mikel Arteta offers Viktor Gyokeres verdict after Emirates debut in pre-season defeat to Villarreal - as Gunners boss singles out academy starlet for praise
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has insisted £64million summer signing Viktor Gyokeres will be in a 'very good position' by the time the Premier League season begins after his first pre-season start. The Gunners were beaten 3-2 at home by Villarreal on Wednesday night as the big-money summer signing made his home debut at the Emirates. Gyokeres had limited opportunities to score on his first start for the club, with the Swedish forward playing an hour of the match. His best chance came just before he was substituted, but saw a powerful strike well saved by the Villarreal goalkeeper. The forward had joined Arsenal following a protracted move from Sporting Lisbon, where he had scored 97 goals in 103 matches for the club. With Gyokeres having only a brief cameo in Arsenal's pre-season loss to Tottenham prior to his hour on Wednesday, Arteta insisted the forward will be up to speed by the time the new season starts. 'I think it was very important for him to start a match and start to have the feeling and the connection with the team. 'He's been with us only a week or so, but I really saw a lot of things and a lot of purpose, especially the way he was attacking certain spaces. 'So in general, for a lot of players that haven't played many minutes, we have a lot now that they're going to be ready for Saturday in a much better condition.' 'I hope days, and every day in training I think he's getting a really good feeling. I think he's getting connections as well outside, which I think is really important with players that are going to help him to get in the position that he needs to get in. 'On his fitness level, I think he hasn't trained really with the team for two months, so he's done now six or five sessions I think before today, so I think on Saturday again he will take another step and he will be in a better condition.' Arsenal will face further LaLiga opposition on Saturday when they host Athletic Club in the Emirates Cup, before their Premier League opener away at Man United on August 17. The Gunners will hope to have Kai Havertz available again after he missed the defeat by Villarreal with a minor injury. Arteta also offered praised to 15-year-old academy star Max Dowman for his 'incredible' attacking contributions after another eye-catching pre-season performance. With Arsenal trailing 3-1, Dowman showed quick feet to fool a Villareal defender and induce a foul, resulting in the Gunners being awarded a penatly. Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard acknowledged Dowman's contribution after scoring the penalty to reduce the deficit. It was the second penalty Dowman has won in pre-season after help Arsenal win 3-2 against Newcastle on their tour of Asia. The highly-rated youngster also drew the attention of home fans were several darting runs and crosses in the latter stages of the friendly against Villarreal. Arteta praised the youngster and admitted that despite his young age he will continue to deserve chances if he continues to make an impact from the bench. 'Max (Dowman) is moving so fast - even last year when he was training with us, he was doing these kind of things and now he is doing them in the games,' Arteta said. 'The efficiency he shows in every attacking action is incredible. He deserves to have chances and if he continues like this let's see what happens. When asked whether Dowman could be involved in the Premier League, Arteta added 'Let's see how it goes, let's go into Saturday, into the break as well. 'He needs a little break as well because he hasn't had any holidays really, so in the next few days he's going to have a break which I think he needs and then he'll probably be ready again to go.'
Daily Mail
6 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Jamie Carragher explains why Chelsea are NO CLOSER to winning the Premier League title - despite spending £250m on new players this summer and becoming world champions
has questioned Chelsea 's direction under Todd Boehly and Enzo Maresca – claiming the Blues are still no nearer to mounting a Premier League title challenge despite becoming world champions and splashing another quarter of a billion pounds on new signings. Chelsea lifted the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States earlier this summer and will return to the Champions League next season after securing a fourth-place finish in the Premier League – their best since Boehly's 2022 takeover. But Carragher is not convinced that Maresca's revamped squad is any stronger than before, suggesting the club's recruitment has lacked impact despite eight summer arrivals costing around £250million combined. 'When I look at Chelsea, I think about what you did in the Club World Cup – everyone wanted to win it,' said the former Liverpool defender, speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate. ' Real Madrid really wanted to win, PSG did, and so did Manchester City, all those that we class as the best teams. 'So I do think it's a big thing and it will help build a connection between Enzo Maresca and the supporters, which wasn't really there last season. 'I'm not sure it'll push Chelsea any closer to the title though. When Chelsea do business, over the last couple of years, it feels like a lot of players are changing without anyone really lifting the level. 'I know Cole Palmer has been amazing, but all your wingers feel the same. 'A perfect example is [Jamie] Gittens coming in and Madueke leaving – there is no elevation, and I see that with a lot of positions at Chelsea.' Carragher was referring to the £55m arrival of England Under-21 winger Gittens from Borussia Dortmund, who has effectively replaced Noni Madueke – now at Arsenal following a £52m switch. Several big-name players have left Stamford Bridge once again this summer, reflecting Chelsea's ongoing squad churn during the Boehly era, with Joao Felix, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall also departing in deals worth more than £150m combined. Incoming players include Joao Pedro (£60m), Liam Delap (£30m), Jorrel Hato (£37m), Estevao Willian (£28m), Dário Essugo (£18.5m), and Mamadou Sarr (£12m). Both Pedro and Delap made an instant impact by scoring in the Club World Cup, before Brazilian teenager Estevao — who played against the Blues in the USA — officially joined following his 18th birthday. However, Maresca's long-term project has also seen several new arrivals head straight out on loan to BlueCo's French club Strasbourg, including Sarr and Kendry Paez. Carragher, who has previously criticised Chelsea's policy of handing out ultra-long contracts, believes the current structure could eventually backfire. Discussing Cole Palmer earlier this year, Carragher said: 'He may become like a Steven Gerrard-type figure in a team that's not quite good enough – and then it's frustrating, because you feel like you're better than everybody else. 'And when you're on those long contracts, it's difficult to get out.' Palmer, a standout performer last season, is tied to the club until 2033 – a reflection of the Boehly regime's strategy but one that Carragher remains wary of. Chelsea will kick off their 2025-26 campaign on August 17 with a London derby against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.
