Barclays Premier League clubs have not been deterred by Charles Green's claims that the players who walked out on his Rangers newco will still command transfer fees.
Steven Naismith could be an Everton player by the end of the week having undergone and passed a medical over the weekend, but six other clubs in England, and two from overseas, have also registered an interest in the attacker.
The decisions of Norwich City and Sion to sign Steven Whittaker and Kyle Lafferty respectively also suggests that those clubs have taken their own legal counsel on the issue and been advised that the former Rangers player can be picked up without fees. Jamie Ness is expected to join Stoke City while Steven Davis has been linked with Liverpool, Allan McGregor with Hull City and John Fleck with Coventry City.
Green's representatives have contacted each of the "buying" clubs to state his assertion that the players who left have breached their contracts and so are not available as free agents, but that will be contested in every case. None of the clubs who have signed or want any of the former Rangers players believe that they will have to pay any fee.
The transfers could now come to Fifa's attention as the buying clubs seek International Transfer Certificates from the SFA. The SFA may decide to hand the issue over to the world governing body for resolution – given that Green will attempt to obstruct each transfer – but the players and their new clubs have been advised that Fifa will almost certainly rule in their favour and that their moves will be unhindered.
Naismith had a clause in his contract saying he could leave if a £2m fee was received but he decided to release himself from that deal rather than allow it to be transferred to Green's newco under TUPE (transfer of undertakings, protection of employment) legislation.
Stoke, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United are among the long list of clubs chasing Naismith and he was also linked with Liverpool, but Everton are the frontrunners and he could become their first summer signing within days. He has impressed David Moyes, who has also been given testimonies about the player's ability by Davie Weir, the former Rangers captain now on the Goodison coaching staff. If Naismith does go to Everton he would be reunited with Nikica Jelavic, who switched between the same clubs in January. Naismith, 25, missed most of last season after suffering knee ligament damage in October.
Brendan Rodgers, the new Liverpool manager, was said to be planning a move for Davis, his fellow Northern Irishman. The 27-year-old former Ibrox captain has previously played for Aston Villa and Fulham in the Barclays Premier League.
Hull City were linked with a move for McGregor yesterday but the Scotland goalkeeper's wage demands are likely to prevent him becoming Steve Bruce's first signing as manager. Hull need an experienced goalkeeper but would not be able to match the terms McGregor, 30, walked out on at Ibrox.
Meanwhile Celtic were linked with a £2.25m move for the 31-year-old Ruben Castro yesterday but Herald Sport understands that the Real Betis striker is not a target for the Parkhead club.
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