Transfer news LIVE as Celtic and Rangers plus Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs eye signings

Varane to Bayern?

Bayern Munich have been told it's 'possible' that Manchester United would allow Raphael Varane to move on in January.

The centre-back has been used sparingly by Erik ten Hag so far this term.

Kylian Mbappe breaks PSG silence

Kylian Mbappe remained coy when he was asked about his future at Paris Saint-Germain during the international break.

The 24-year-old striker faces an increasingly uncertain future in the French capital, with his contract at Les Parc des Princes set to expire at the end of the season.

With Mbappe keeping his options open, the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid have been mooted as a potential destination. In an interview with French publication Telefoot he remained tight-lipped on his future.

It’s something I don’t want to talk about. Especially since I already did it in June and it took up a big part of the international break. I want us to talk more about the national team, rather than me talking about something that will be resolved one day, so there will be time to talk about that.

Celtic see Frimpong windfall 'complicated'

Chelsea are reportedly complicating matters for Xabi Alonso by joining the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong.

Alonso is said to be keen on bringing Frimpong to Real Madrid if he is to succeed Carlo Ancelotti as manager at the Santiago Bernabeu.

That is according to the Daily Express, who claim that Frimpong's arrival is one of the Spaniard's "requirements" to sit in the Real Madrid dugout next season. Los Blancos are in search of a successor for right-back Dani Carvajal and have identified Frimpong as an ideal replacement.

But they will reportedly face stiff competition for his signature from Chelsea and Liverpool. The Blues' interest comes as a surprise given that Reece James is now back to full fitness while they only recently signed 20-year-old French full-back Malo Gusto from Lyon for £30.7million.

However, in the case of Liverpool, it is an entirely different story. The Reds are looking to bring in a new right-back to allow Trent Alexander-Arnold to move further up the pitch.

Luke Baartman on Celtic radar

Celtic have been linked with a swoop for South African teen sensation Luke Baartman.

The Cape Town Spurs striker has burst on to the scene this season and earned rave reviews for his performances.

At just 17 the youngster is one for the future and it's understood the Hoops would face competition from English clubs for his signature.

Arsenal get Jorginho contract 'deadline'

Jorginho's agent has set a 'deadline' for Arsenal to end their contract standstill or lose the Brazilian.

The former Chelsea midfielder is out of contract this summer and time is running out for him to agree an extension and remain at the Emirates.

Now agent Joao Santos has issued the Gunners with an ultimatum.

Everything is at a standstill. We'll think about it after February. However, the priority remains Arsenal.

Lowry development used in debate

Former Rangers star Lee McCulloch reckons Alex Lowry didn't get the proper 'development' needed at Rangers.

And that is why the former Hearts assistant coach believes the Jambos had to take the youngster on loan to give him the experienced he was missing at Ibrox. Since his arrival, Philippe Clement has shown major faith in Rangers' youth but it was Lowry who crosssed the M8 earlier this year and is thriving under Steven Naismith.

But McCulloch is probing why it took a loan move for the 20-year-old to be given the right chance. When asked about the example of Lowry in a debate about homegrown talent being given game time, he told PLZ Soccer:

Why is he not getting that at Rangers (development)? Why is another Scottish club had to take him on loan to develop him. Without developing their own, he's stunted the growth of the young ones there.

Adams' Euro target for Staggies

Derek Adams has targeted European football for Ross County after returning for a third spell in charge.

Former Staggies midfielder Adams replaced malky mackay, who was sacked last week with County sitting second bottom of the Scottish Premiership table.

Survival will be Adams' priority, but he;s outlined what success looks like further down the line fir the Highland club.

Success for this football club is to get into the top six," he told Sky Sports. "My first time here, we were able to do that. We finished fifth and it was the highest finish we've ever had.

Can we, over time, become a regualr top six team? It;s very difficult, we understand that with the amount of big teams in this league . We'll also try - eventually and if possible - to get to European football.

Jota gets Ittihad pep talk

Jota's time at Al-Ittihad has been fraught with complications but a fresh beginning is on the horizon.

The Celtic hero's controversial £25million transfer, now the subject of a probe by Saudi Pro League chiefs, hasn't brought him much in the way of game time in Jeddah. Under previous boss Nuno Espirito Santo, the Tigers reserved the 25-year-old to the bench with the quota on foreign players already bulging with the likes of Benzema, Kante and Fabinho lining the squad.

But now Marcelo Gallardo is in post and seemingly looking to mentor the Portuguese through his tough spell as a snap was shared to Ittihad's snapchat with the pair locked in training ground chat.

Toney to Chelsea faces hurdle

Ivan Toney's proposed January transfer move to Chelsea could be held up by FFP rules.

The Blues have reportedly identified the Brentford forward as a target for the new year, with Toney still serving an eight-month ban from football for breaching FA betting rules. Yet the 27-year-old could end up playing for Mauricio Pochettino and Co but a new UEFA rule on spreading the costs of big-money transfer fees means an £80m valuation for the striker could prove an issue.

Football London say Toney is on the wishlist for January, but that spreading a whopping fee over five plus years presents a hurdle. Chelsea forked out around £88million for Mykhalio Mudryk on a deal believed to span eight-and-a-half years, but won't be able to turn that trick again in future deals thanks to UEFA changes.

Adams seals County return

Derek Adams has taken up the Ross County vacancy once again as the former Staggies boss replaces Malky Mackay in the Dingwall dugout - after a 10-year hiatus from the Scottish game.

The 48-year-old left English League Two side Morecambe to pave the way for a return to the Highlands. Adams began his managerial career in Dingwall before joining Hibs as assistant but returned for a second stint that saw County win the Second and First Division titles, a Challenge Cup and reach the Scottish Cup final in 2010.

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Brown floats Hibs transfer theory

Scott Brown reckons Nick Montgomery will target a new striker in the January transfer window to allow Martin Boyle to return to his natural habitat out wide.

The Hibs boss has relied on the Socceroo as a second striker alongside Dylan Vente in recent weeks as Adam Le Fondre and Christian Doidge struggled with injury. Elias Melkersen will return from his loan deal at Stromgodset in the new year, but former Hibees hero Brown, who has been impressed with the start Montgomery has made to life in Leith, expects the boss to target another number nine in his first window.

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Newcastle to look for 'next Erling Haaland'

Running a successful football club in the modern game usually works with one blueprint - buying young players and selling high once they are proven.

Celtic did that relatively well in the Ange Postecoglou era, with the likes of Jota departing the club for good amounts of profit whilst Matt O'Riley and Reo Hatate are the next stars linked with a big-money move away from Celtic Park. In England, Brighton are the blueprint with their sales of Marc Cucurella, Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo giving them huge amounts of cash to spend.

And now Newcastle are trying to do the same. They've already signed the likes of Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon with that in mind - but new chief of global scouting Marcel Bout has told of his desires to take it to the next level by signing the likes of Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham and the like before they reach the elite clubs.

He said: “I am looking for the new Haaland, Bellingham and (Jamal) Musiala.

“I am focusing on young talent up to 23 years old who have the potential to get into Newcastle’s first team. My motto is that if you constantly look to the left then you can’t see anything on the right. So I look everywhere. Newcastle have brought me in to find all the big talents. I want to find the pounds among the pennies.

"It is my ambition to not only point out those big talents, but also to put everything into place so these players immediately arrive at Newcastle United. I want to bring them in before they are worth £100 million.”

Kvaradona wanted by French giants

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored two past Scotland on Thursday evening as the national side drew 2-2 in Georgia - and it's a sign of a superb player who can carry his team that will end up being one of the world's best.

The 22-year-old burst onto the scene at the Diego Armando Maradona last season after signing from Dinamo Batumi in the summer - following the termination of his contract from Rubin Kazan amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

14 goals, countless assists and key passes saw him become one of the most coveted wingers in world football, with his dazzling displays making even the best sit up and take notice.

And according to 90min, if Kylian Mbappe leaves in the summer for pastures new, the Parisian outfit will target the Georgian to replace their world superstar and create a new legend in the French capital.

Syd should be on the bench

Celtic target Sydney van Hooijdonk should be sitting on the Bologna bench behind compatriot Joshua Zirkzee - and that's according to his DAD!

Former Hoops hero Pierre refused to indulge in any form of nepotism in tipping Zirkzee to make the step up to the Netherlands national squad before Euro 2024.

Van Hooijdonk Jnr has admitted that he may need to leave the Serie A side on loan in January due to a lack of game time. And his father's former club Celtic have been linked with a move, as reports in Italy say the Scottish Premiership champions have made their interest known to Bologna.

That could see Sydney follow in Pierre's footsteps after the latter spent 18 months at Celtic Park between 1995 and 1997. A short term switch would suit the player, given his desire to see more action on the pitch, while Brendan Rodgers needs attacking cover with Kyogo and Oh set to be missing on Asian Cup duty with Japan and South Korea respectively

Clever Seagulls

Brighton have reportedly opted against putting a release clause in Evan Ferguson's contract with the Irish prodigy having his breakthrough at the AMEX Stadium.

Ferguson signed from Bohemians in 2021 when he was just 16 years old, and instantly has hit the ground running on the south English coast which has attracted the attention of clubs around the UK.

With 11 goals in just 31 games for the Seagulls, Ferguson will only get better as he gets older with more experience under his belt and that could leave Brighton susceptible to picking up a lower fee than first thought if they were to sell him in the future and be held to ransom over a release clause - just like Alexis Mac Allister's move to Liverpool.

But according to The Athletic, a new deal WON'T include a release clause - which is some extremely smart business from Brighton given that fees almost totalling £100million have been bandied about in the summer.

Lennon in for Ireland job?

Stephen Kenny is supposedly set for his final farewell against New Zealand tomorrow - and already bookies are betting on who will be the next to take his crown.

The Irish boss has failed spectacularly in the qualifiers, taking just six points in the current group, with both of those coming against minnows Gibraltar which included a loss home and away to Greece.

As a result, managers have already been touted with his job ahead of Tuesday's fixture against the Boys in Green - and Neil Lennon has come top of the tree with odds as short as 6/4, according to Betfair.

Betfair: Next permanent Republic of Ireland manager

Neil Lennon: 6/4

Lee Carsley: 4/1

Steve Bruce: 9/2

Roy Keane: 9/1

Gus Poyet: 10/1

Sam Allardyce: 11/1

Griezmann secret weapon

Following on from our report of Antoine Griezmann's links with Manchester United this morning, there have been supposed developments on the claim.

According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, the Frenchman's Atletico Madrid release clause is just £22million - and as a result of the money saved to bring in a world-class star, Griezmann will be offered TRIPLE wage increase as an incentive to move to Old Trafford.

Celtic only know too well how tough Griezmann is to keep quiet as he scored in both the 2-2 at Celtic Park and the 6-0 hammering in the Spanish capital.

United could bypass new regulation

Manchester United could be set to bypass an imminent Premier League rule with the potential capture of Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo.

The English top-flight are deliberating bringing in a new measure which stops co-owned teams - such as Newcastle's affiliation with the Saudi PIF and Manchester City's 'City Football Group - from loaning players to one another to gain unfair sporting advantage. This comes after Newcastle's pursuit of Al-Hilal's star Ruben Neves was frowned upon.

With Sir Jim Ratcliffe set to take a 25 per cent ownership of United, he also owns French club Nice, which would render any potential deal between the two clubs useless.

However, reports state that United would be buying the defender for £40million, which opens up a whole new can of worms in what is another new grey area for Premier League chiefs.

Bowyer in line to replace Adams

Former Dundee manager Gary Bowyer is one of the favourites to fill the void left by Derek Adams at Morecambe.

Adams looks set to join Ross County once again as the Scot left the League Two side on Monday morning with a replacement for Malky Mackay needed in the Highlands. And now BetVictor have Bowyer, who led the Dee back to the Scottish Premiership, as one of the leaders to take over at the Shrimps.

Bowyer is a 4/1 shot while Celtic hero Scott Brown sits at 14/1 after leaving Fleetwood Town last month. Former Rangers renegade Joey Barton who ended three years at Bristol Rovers last week is a 14/1 shot.

Cher you don't want a move?

PSG prodigy Cher Ndour doesn’t fancy a move away from the Parc des Princes in January despite playing just 25 minutes since his summer move.

The Italian youngster signed from Benfica in July despite only making one appearances for the Lisbon-based side, and whilst he’s made three appearances in the league for PSG, they’ve only totalled less than half an hour.

At 19 years old, Ndour needs to be gaining first-team minutes if he is to develop, though with so many seniors ahead of him in the pecking order that may seem a long stretch.

But he didn’t shy away from staying in the French capital and biding his time for minutes, saying to Rai Sport: "My idea is to go to a team and stay there. I wouldn't have liked to go on loan.”

Vini Jr replacement already found?

Vinícius Júnior has travelled back to Madrid after getting injured on international duty with Brazil and landed in the Spanish capital on Saturday to undergo tests to determine the extent of his injury.

But with the star expected to spend a lengthy spell on the sidelines planning is already underway for a replacement, according to reports.

Sport says Madrid are considering making an approach to sign Timo Werner from RB Leipzig either on loan or permanently.

Ciao to Joao?

Manchester City could be waving goodbye to full-back Joao Cancelo with his loan move to Barcelona being a successful one.

The Portugal star was one of Pep Guardiola's key performers in the 2021-22 season and he revolutionised the inverted wing-back role with a hatful of assists at the Premier League champions.

But a reported fallout with the Spanish boss saw him join Barcelona on deadline day, and the Blaugrana are keen to make his temporary stay a permanently, according to the Daily Mail.

They are hopeful of driving City’s £44million price tag down with Cancelo turning 30 in the summer.

Neilson talks up Hearts loan call

Lewis Neilson reckons he needed to leave Hearts on loan to get more time and has issued a pointed message to Steven Naismith.

The 20-year-old defender revealed the Jambos coach told him Frankie Kent's arrival meant chances on the pitch could be limited with the former Dundee United man sealing a loan move to Partick Thistle. And the youngster reckons it's paying off for him massively:

I did pre-season at Hearts but I spoke to Steven Naismith and said I wanted game time. Partick Thistle was the best suited one for me. Since I’ve gone in, I’ve not missed a minute of football. Playing games every week and sometimes twice a week. It’s great for me and it’s what I need at this point in time. To be defending as much as possible and improving my game.

EXCLUSIVE! Brentford track Rangers kid McCausland

Brentford are keeping a close eye on Ross McCausland’s Rangers contract situation, Record Sport understands.

Marcos Leonardo 'ready' for Europe

Marcos Leonardo is ready to move to Europe, according to his agent.

The striker’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, has been quoted in Italian media stating:

The time has come to move. He wants to have a European experience and his time will come this winter.

Arsenal have been linked with the Santos forward, along with Manchester United, Newcastle and Roma.

Celtic make van Hooijdonk 'enquiry'

Celtic have reportedly made their interest in striker Sydney van Hooijdonk known to Bologna ahead of a potential January switch.

The son of former Hoops' hero Pierre was touted with a move to the Scottish Premiership champions last summer but Thiago Motta closed the exit door for the 23-year-old as he was offered a chance to impress his boss in Serie A following a successful loan spell at Heerenveen. The Dutchman netted 16 goals in 32 games for the Eredivise side last term but has failed to make his mark this term.

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Arteta in Aston Villa raid?

Arsenal have seen their midfield improve drastically with the addition of Declan Rice to their ranks in the summer - but Mikel Arteta wants more, according to Evening Standard.

The report claims that Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz is in their sights, with the Gunners being ‘long-term admirers’ of the Brazilian who scored six goals in six consecutive home games earlier this season.

Three deadline day bids in August 2022 were rejected for the star, with the final bid being worth £25million before he committed his future to the Villa Park outfit by signing a deal until 2026.

With Thomas Partey struggling with fitness issues and himself and Mohamed Elneny being jetted off to AFCON in the winter, Luiz would provide numbers and then increased quality as Arsenal look for a first league title in 20 years.

Jota predicament analysed by Saudi chief

Saudi Pro League CEO Saad Al-Ladhiz has revealed he contacted Al-Ittihad to express concern after Jota was dropped from their squad.

The former Celtic winger was cut from Ittihad's squad registration for the league process, restricting him to appearances in the Asian Champions League and friendlies only - but despite his lack of game time, Al-Ladhiz believes Jota will succeed in the future.

He said: “Jota is among the programme’s deals, and he was at the request of Al-Ittihad and there was no competition for him from other Pro League sides.

"Only Al-Ittihad requested him to be contracted. Not all deals can succeed quickly, and I believe that this player will succeed."

READ MORE: The Jota Celtic to Ittihad transfer fiasco probed as Saudi Pro League chief reveals fears over 'consequences' for move

Emery in Spanish raid

An injury to Ollie Watkins would surely derail any small hopes of an Aston Villa title bid in the coming weeks with the striker in red hot form.

But Villa boss Unai Emery could look to offer incredible backup for the Englishman with a potential move to Athletic Bilbao star Inaki Williams being touted.

Williams smashed a La Liga record of consecutive games played in the Spanish top-flight after he failed to miss a game for the best part of SEVEN years until missing out towards the end of last season, in which time he's scored 67 goals in the league and showing that he is adept to playing anywhere across the front line.

And it's this which has seen him linked with Villa by Football Insider, as Villa look to increase the support for Watkins with proven stars

Salford follow Falkirk star

Salford City are amongst a string of clubs who are hot on the trail of Falkirk star Callumn Morrison.

The English League Two side had the 24-year-old watched as he produced a starring role in the Bairns' SPFL Trust trophy win over Dundee United on Friday night. The 24-year-old is out of contract in the summer and his early season form has put him on the radar of a number of top clubs in the Scottish Premiership and in England's lower leagues.

Morrison has seven goals and four assistants for the League One leaders. The attacker came through the ranks at Hearts but has been at Falkirk for the last three seasons.

Salford have always been active in the Scottish market in recent years and took Connor McLennan down from Aberdeen in the summer. The English side are looking to push for promotion to England’s League One under Neil Wood.

Falkirk boss John McGlynn will also be hoping his side can win promotion back to the Championship, as that would also strengthen his hand.