Hearts aim ‘arrives’
After IFK Varnamo center-back Michael Steinwender flew into Edinburgh last night to finalize a move to Tynecastle, Hearts head coach Neil Critchley is getting closer to making his third January window acquisition. Anthony Joseph of Sky Sports said that the Austrian defender arrived in the capital on Sunday to finalize a transfer to the Jambos, with a physical maybe scheduled for later today.
Last week, the 24-year-old was linked to the team, but Critchley remained unmoved by the rumors that he was involved with the IFK Varnamo player, stating: “I’m not going to mention his name because that would be wrong.” I won’t talk about that until I can, though, until we’re further along. Although Joseph’s report suggests that the transaction is now getting closer to completion, it also states that the two teams are “yet to reach full agreement” and that the “final details are still being ironed out.”
Celtic delivered a transfer setback.
Raul Moro, a rumored target, sustained a terrible injury over the weekend that seems to have ended any hope of moving to Celtic Park this month, dealing Brendan Rodgers a setback to his recruitment intentions. Despite Real Valladolid’s relegation struggles, the gifted 22-year-old has been receiving high praise at the club this season. Celtic was rumored to be mulling a bid of £8.5 million for the player as they seek to increase their attacking options before the season’s frenetic second half. The attacker, however, appears to be staying in La Liga for the time being after having to have surgery after being carried off during his team’s 2-1 loss to Espanyol over the weekend due to a serious-looking collarbone injury.
With the message, “Everything went well, already thinking about recovery to come back as soon as possible,” the Spaniard updated his fans on Instagram from his hospital bed. I sincerely appreciate all of the supportive and encouraging responses I’m getting.
Amid links, the Motherwell target is left out.
To make sure a move away from the club wouldn’t be “scuppered” by a possible injury amid ties to Motherwell, Carlisle head coach Mike Williamson said that striker Luke Armstrong was left out of their 1-0 loss to Bradford City over the weekend. The forward for the Cumbrians wants to leave the squad this month in order to play regular first team football. Fir Park has been suggested as a possible destination for the move north of the border.
“I just thought he thought the risk of coming in and playing, getting on the pitch and getting injured, would scupper it,” said Williamson regarding his decision to leave the 28-year-old out of his squad at the weekend. It was more of a consensus that something was coming, even though it hadn’t happened yet. He’s someone who I’m glad to keep around, but he obviously wants as much game time as he possibly can and with us bringing in two number nines [Cedwyn Scott and Joe Hugill], he feels as though he’s not going to get that.”
Dundee United is considering two deals.
With the Tannadice club “in the process of agreeing” loan deals for Scottish youth international Lewis Fiorini from Stockport County and Ruari Paton from Port Vale, Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin hopes to add two more players to his team this week. The Daily Record claims that the team wants to finalize the agreements before tonight’s crucial Scottish Cup fourth-round derby matchup against Dundee at Dens Park.
Fiorini, a former Manchester City player, joined EFL League One promotion contenders Stockport in the summer, although he has only played in 11 of the team’s 26 league games. Paton, who moved from Queen’s Park to Port Vale in the summer, has also had trouble getting regular playing time. As Goodwin attempts to bolster his team over the second half of the season, both are reportedly eager to go.
Rangers discuss a “break down” as their departure draws nearer.
Tom Lawrence may be able to leave Rangers this month after being connected to a surprise move to Turkish team Besiktas. The 31-year-old midfielder’s contract expires at the end of the current campaign, and he hasn’t played for the Rangers first team since November because of a hamstring injury.
Despite having the option to extend Lawrence’s contract by another year, the club may decide to let him go this month after Fabrizio Romano reported that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the recently hired manager, was interested in signing the former Manchester United academy graduate. After Rangers’ poor start to the season, Besiktas decided to fire former manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who was replaced by Solskjaer earlier this month. Solskjaer is hoping to bolster his team before the transfer window closes, and he has already expressed “initial interest” in signing the player this month.
Following the “breakdown” of contract negotiations, Lawrence is also interested in the EFL Championship. According to a Daily Mail story, Rangers “failed to agree new terms” with the Welsh international, and Sheffield United is reportedly interested in him.
