The transfer window may not officially open until next week but already many Scottish Premier League clubs have been trying to reshape their squads.

The free agent market has already been heavily utilised, although many managers are also working with a smaller group and relying on youth players to augment numbers.

Here Herald Sport assesses where each club stands after a busy start to the close season:

Aberdeen

Every new manager wants the chance to create his own team and Derek McInnes has signalled his intention to do so by allowing a number of players to leave and telling others still under contract they are also free to go. The re-signing of Niall McGinn may end up being the best business McInnes does all summer but he now needs others capable of making a similar contribution. Barry Robson and Willo Flood will make them more resolute in midfield but the club will need five or six more to improve their league position next season.

In Barry Robson (Sheffield Utd), Willo Flood (Dundee Utd)

Linked with David Goodwillie (Blackburn), Murray Davidson (St Johnstone), John Sutton (Hearts), Gregg Wylde (Bolton Wdrs)

Out Rory Fallon, Mitch Megginson, Isaac Osbourne, Rob Milsom, Gary Naysmith, Gavin Rae, Dan Twardzik (all released)

Pending Stephen Hughes, Jordon Brown (free to leave)

Celtic

Neil Lennon's transfer activity will likely hang on two things: whether Celtic can again make it to the group phase of the Champions League and whether they can hold on to key players such as Victor Wanyama and Gary Hooper. Success in the former will likely see the manager given a bigger budget to help him compete with the cream of Europe, while an exit in the qualifying rounds may expedite the exit of some of his top talent. With Anthony Stokes still to sign an extension, adding another striker or two may be a priority.

In None

Linked with Johnny Russell (Dundee Utd), Amido Balde (Vitoria Guimaraes), Yannick Sagbo, Brice Dja Djedje (both Evian), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Alexsandar Tonev (Lech Poznan), George Boyd (Hull City), Kevin Doyle (Wolves)

Out Daryl Murphy (released)

Pending Anthony Stokes, Thomas Rogne, Paddy McCourt (all out of contract)

Dundee United

His ability to thrive on a tight budget was one of the things that made Jackie McNamara desirable to United when they sought out Peter Houston's replacement. It will likely stand him in good stead this summer as the Tannadice club look to again drive down costs. Three of their biggest earners – Barry Douglas, Willo Flood, and Jon Daly – are now off the books, replaced by emerging talent from the lower leagues. The loss of Johnny Russell after Daly's exit would be a major blow, although one that could be softened by David Goodwillie's proposed return.

In Chris Erskine, Paul Paton (both Partick Thistle), Brian Graham (Raith Rovers), Andrew Robertson, Aidan Connolly (both Queen's Park)

Linked with David Goodwillie (Blackburn), Stephen McManus (Middlesborough)

Out Barry Douglas (Lech Poznan), Willo Flood (Aberdeen), Jon Daly (Rangers), Rory Boulding, Marcus Tornstrand, Steve Banks (all released)

Pending Johnny Russell (fee agreed with Derby County)

Hearts

Hearts remain in a state of flux as they await the ramifications from the collapse of their parent company in Lithuania while being pursued by the taxman in this country over unpaid PAYE. The need to greatly reduce their overheads has led to a raft of big earners moving on this summer, with Gary Locke's side likely to have an even more youthful sheen to it next season. Despite that, Hearts still managed to persuade Danny Wilson to sign a three-year deal following his loan spell.

In Danny Wilson (Liverpool)

Linked with David Goodwillie (Blackburn), Kris Boyd (Kilmarnock)

Out Marius Zaliukas, Darren Barr, Arvydas Novikovas, Danny Grainger, Gordon Smith, Mehdi Taouil, Denis Prychynenko (all released)

Pending Andy Webster (out of contract)

Hibernian

Another disappointing season will likely bring about another summer of change at Easter Road. How to replace the 28 goals scored by Leigh Griffiths will be Pat Fenlon's biggest challenge, while also finding another striker capable of weighing in with double figures at least. Fenlon has added strength and guile to his midfield by signing Liam Craig and Owain Tudur Jones but will likely need to add a number of defensive reinforcements as well if Hibs are to push for a European place next year.

In Owain Tudur Jones (Inverness CT), Liam Craig (St Johnstone), Ryan McGivern (Manchester City)

Linked with Lee Novak (Huddersfield Town), Liam Boyce (Cliftonville), Ryan O'Leary (Kilmarnock)

Out Leigh Griffiths (end of loan), Eoin Doyle (Chesterfield), Jorge Claros (end of loan), Pa Kujabi (released)

Pending Kevin Thomson, David Wotherspoon, Alan Maybury, Shefki Kuqi, Gary Deegan (all out of contract)

Inverness CT

Terry Butcher can lay claim to having made the most imaginative signings in the top flight in recent seasons, unearthing players such as Aaron Doran, Gary Warren and Billy McKay and polishing them into star performers. That, of course, tends to make his players more attractive to other clubs, with Owan Tudur Jones, Antonio Reguero and Andrew Shinnie having now all left. But Butcher has again used his connections down south to make four interesting signings. Finding someone to replace the creativity of Shinnie, though, is his biggest test.

In Ben Greenhalgh (Maidstone Utd), James Vincent (Kidderminster), Danny Williams (Kendal Town), Adam Evans (Burnley)

Linked with None

Out Owain Tudur Jones (Hibs), Antonio Reguero (Kilmarnock), Andrew Shinnie (Birmingham City), Shane Sutherland, Gavin Morrison (released)

Pending None

Kilmarnock

It would take a brave man to second guess just what Kenny Shiels may do in any given window. This summer he has moved to cover for the departure of Cammy Bell and Kyle Letheren by signing two goalkeepers who were first choices at their respective clubs last season, and there is still hope that Kris Boyd can be persuaded to put down roots for the longer term. James Dayton's departure could be significant.

In Craig Samson (St Mirren), Antonio Reguero (Inverness CT)

Linked with Peter Murphy (Carlisle Utd)

Out Cammy Bell (Rangers), James Dayton (Oldham Ath), Kyle Letheren, Danny Racchi (both released)

Pending Kris Boyd, Anssi Jaakkola, Ryan O'Leary, Mahamadou Sissoko, William Gros (all out of contract)

Motherwell

Motherwell have worked miracles on a relatively small budget in recent seasons and they have their work cut out again. Four first-team regulars have already moved on, while three more have yet to make a decision on their futures. It could leave manager Stuart McCall with a sizeable rebuilding job but his decision to turn down Sheffield United suggests he is up for the challenge. The one arrival so far, Paul Lawson, looks like a shrewd acquisition.

In Paul Lawson (Ross County)

Linked with Gregg Wylde (Bolton Wdrs)

Out Nicky Law (Rangers), Chris Humphrey (Preston), Darren Randolph (Birmingham City), Steven Saunders, Omar Daley (both released), Kallum Higginbotham (end of loan)

Pending Michael Higdon, Tom Hateley, James McFadden (all out of contract)

Partick Thistle

Alan Archibald's honest admission that Thistle will struggle to match any offers to players from other top-flight clubs suggests he may need to do most of his business late in the window. The Irn-Bru First Division champions have lost a number of key individuals already and will need to strengthen considerably. Striker John Baird and goalkeeper Paul Gallacher will offer much-needed experience.

In John Baird (Dundee), Paul Gallacher (Ross County)

Linked with None

Out Chris Erskine, Paul Paton (Dundee Utd), Steven Craig, Andy Dowie (both released)

Pending Jordan McMillan (out of contract)

Ross County

Like Inverness, County have cast their net far and wide when it comes to sourcing signings. A top-six finish last year should mean a healthier budget for manager Derek Adams to work with and he has already landed one recruit, Dutchman Melvin de Leeuw. Adams will hope to hold on to Iain Vigurs, whose proposed move to Oldham collapsed last week, while there is ongoing uncertainty as to the legitimacy of Richard Brittain's pre-contract agreement with St Johnstone.

In Melvin de Leeuw (SC Cambuur)

Linked with None

Out Paul Gallacher (Partick Thistle), Paul Lawson (Motherwell), Richard Brittain (St Johnstone)

Pending Evangelos Ikonomou, Steffen Wohlfart, Mark Brown, Iain Vigurs, Andre Hainault, Mark Fotheringham (all out of contract)

St Johnstone

It is perhaps just as well that St Johnstone have yet to do any business this summer with Steve Lomas permitted to hold talks with Milwall with a view to becoming their manager. Lomas' successor, should he move on, will need to find a way to replace key players like Murray Davidson, Frazer Wright and Rowan Vine, who are all out of contract, and Hibs-bound Liam Craig. The outcome on Brittain's future will also likely influence the budget available for signings.

In Richard Brittain (Ross County)

Linked with None

Out Liam Craig (Hibs), Jonny Tuffey, Murray Davidson, Rowan Vine (all released)

Pending Callum Davidson, Gary Miller, David McCracken, Frazer Wright, Paddy Cregg, Jamie Adams (all out of contract)

St Mirren

Winning the club's first major honour in 26 years was not enough to stop Danny Lennon from ripping up his squad and effectively building a new one from scratch. Eleven players have left for one reason or another, leaving them threadbare – with no recognised goalkeeper or left-back, and soon only one recognised centre forward in Steven Thompson. Things look healthier in midfielder, however, with Paul McGowan agreeing a one-year extension and Gary Harkins signing.

In Gary Harkins (Dundee)

Linked with Steve Simonsen (Dundee), Steven Smith (free agent)

Out Craig Samson (Kilmarnock), Paul Dummett, Conor Newton, Isma Goncalves (all end of loan), Paul McGinn (Dumbarton), Sam Parkin, Graham Carey, Chris Smith, Dougie Imrie, Sander Puri, Grant Adam (all released)

Pending Lewis Guy, Lee Mair (free to leave)