Celtic bid rejected, Rangers to miss out on target, Alistair Johnston latest- Scottish transfer news
The Scottish Premiership is back with a bang as all bar two clubs kicked off their new campaign at the weekend, but with four weeks of the transfer window still left to run, the reports, rumours and completed deals don’t stop just because the on pitch action has started!
In your Monday morning transfer bulletin, we’ve got the latest news from Celtic, Rangers, Hibs and beyond as we keep you up to date with all the latest transfer headlines in the top flight and beyond.
Rangers look set to miss out on key target Jahnoah Markelo after it was revealed that the Coventry City man is closing in on a surprise move to the Middle East. The 23-year-old was identified as an option by the Ibrox hierarchy last month, with discussions taking place over a deal to bring the right-footed left winger to the club on loan, as head coach Derek McInnes looks to bolster his options on the flanks.
Called up by the Suriname national team in November 2025, the Amsterdam-born player began his career in the Netherlands, spending time with Ajax’s academy before making his professional debut for Go Ahead Eagles. Signed from FC Zurich for a fee of £4.3million in January by Frank Lampard’s Coventry, he had struggled for regular game time at CBS Stadium, with Rangers amongst several clubs said to be interested in a deal for him this summer.
However, according to a report by UAE Kick, Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli are now ‘finalising an agreement’ to sign Markelo for a fee of around £3million. The Jeddah-based club look set to lose head coach Matthias Jaissle to Newcastle United this month, but are still pushing on with plans to build their squad as they look to wrestle the league title from Al-Nassr’s hands this coming season.
McInnes has also shown an interest in Brighton’s Amario Cozier-Duberry, who impressed last season on loan with Bolton Wanderers, but could be scuppered in their search to sign the 21-year-old. Seagulls head coach Fabian Hurzeler revealed he had impressed during the club’s pre-season campaign, saying he was “very impactful”.
Alistair Johnston latest
Celtic defender Alistair Johnston is close to sealing a move to Everton with the club locked in negotiations over his exit at the weekend, according to reports. It was revealed that week that the Merseyside club were keen on a deal for the 27-year-old, something which was later confirmed by manager Martin O’Neill, who admitted the Toffees boss David Moyes had personal called him to make him aware of a pending bid.
A standout performer for co-hosts Canada at the World Cup this summer, it is reported that Everton have launched a bid that would see them pay £12million upfront, with a further £3million to be paid in add-ons. While Celtic are holding out for a larger fee for their key right-back, it is widely reported that Johnston is keen on a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Speaking earlier this week, O’Neill said of the interest in Johnston: “I’ve spoken to him on the back of the interest. Again, it was one of those where Alistair is perfectly happy here at the football club But like anything else, your head can get turned very quickly, particularly if it’s a really good club. He wouldn’t leave here for a second-class Premier League club, if there is such a thing, but if a big, big club comes in, it’s something you would have to look at.”
Celtic bid rejected
Staying with Celtic, the club have had an offer for Frosinone winger Fares Ghedjemis rejected by the Italian outfit. Ahead of their league opener against Dundee, manager Martin O’Neill had confirmed over the weekend that the club had rekindled their interest in a player they tried to sign back in January, who is also understood to be on Rangers’ radar. Addressing the reported interest, the 74-year-old said: “I don’t know whether Rangers are trying to sign him. But we have a very strong interest in him. I don’t know how close we can get, but we are genuinely making good progress.”
However, it can now be revealed that their £6million offer has been rebuffed by the newly promoted Serie A side, with the Canarini viewing Ghedjemis as a vital player ahead of their return to the top flight after signing him for a modest fee. According to Sky Sports journalist Luca Bendoni, Celtic will continue to push for a deal to sign the 23-year-old, despite his club’s desire to hang onto their star man, with the club remaining in “active discussions” over a deal.