The imminent £11.5million sale of Celtic’s Virgil van Dijk to Southampton today is set to spark a chain reaction of transfer activity.
The Parkhead club are believed to have tabled a bid in the region of £4million for Dinamo Zagreb’s Jozo Simunovic, who is their first-choice to become successor to van Dijk at the centre of Ronny Deila’s defence.
An opening bid was turned down by Dinamo Zagreb chief Zdravko Mamic, but Celtic remain keen on the Croatian under-20 international and hope an improved offer will secure the deal.
Meanwhile, Celtic are also believed to have launched a bid to bring Sunderland and Scotland striker Steven Fletcher in on a one-year loan deal.
Hibs have made contact with Sheffield Wednesday over a potential loan-deal for former St Johnstone striker Stevie May. They face stiff competition from Nottingham Forest though, and will only come into the frame should May’s move to the City Ground fall through.
Kilmarnock boss Gary Locke is looking to give his beleaguered side a boost with the signing of former Motherwell and Dundee United defender Gavin Gunning, who is available on a free transfer following his release from Oldham.
In England, Jose Mourinho is looking to kick-start Chelsea’s season with the signing of Juventus superstar Paul Pogba, with the Stamford Bridge club prepared to offer anything up to £87.5million for the young Frenchman.
Manchester United are also looking to a Frenchman to solve their striking problems, with a bid in the region of £35million being tabled for Monaco’s France under-21 international forward Anthony Martial. Martial, 19, was previously linked with a move to Arsenal.
West Brom have been credited with an interest in Scotland international winger Matt Phillips, as QPR look to move on some of their higher earners following relegation to the Championship.
Fellow Scotland international Ross McCormack, who like Phillips cannot currently earn a place in Gordon Strachan’s squad, has been subject of a big-money offer from Sheffield Wednesday. Fulham have rejected their initial bid though, believed to be around £10million.
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