Real Madrid track Scott McTominay as Scottish transfer picture shifts
McTominay on Real Madrid’s radar
Real Madrid are keeping tabs on Scott McTominay’s contract talks at Napoli and could pursue the Scotland midfielder at the end of the season, according to reports cited by BBC Sport. A return to Manchester United is considered unlikely, with the club instead targeting younger players, Football Insider reports.
Armstrong nears Dinamo extension
Former Kilmarnock winger Danny Armstrong is poised to trigger a new contract with Dinamo Bucharest, the club’s sporting director, Cosmin Mihalescu, has revealed. Armstrong has helped the Romanian side move to the top of the table as it seeks its first league title in 20 years.
Celtic have no plans to revive their interest in left-back Marcelo Saracchi, despite the player reportedly being keen to return. Saracchi moved from Boca Juniors to Houston Dynamo after his loan spell in Glasgow.
Fares Ghedjemis’s new contract with Frosinone, running until 2030, appears to have ended the prospect of Celtic or Rangers renewing their interest. The club have reportedly placed an £18m valuation on the Algeria international after securing promotion to Serie A.
Rangers linked with cut-price defender
Rangers could sign Excelsior centre-back Casper Widell for less than £2m in January if they remain interested, Football Insider reports. The 23-year-old is out of contract next summer.
Elsewhere, Bolton Wanderers defender Ben Davies said he was grateful for the experience of playing in the Champions League, Europa League and cup finals with Rangers, while wishing the team had achieved more during his spell there.
Other Scottish football notes
Former Aberdeen youth defender Timothy Akindileni, now at Queens Park Rangers, said he moved to the English club 18 months ago because he did not see a clear route into Aberdeen’s first team. Former Scotland striker Allan Brazil has also recalled being tentatively approached by Roma after impressing against the Italian club while playing for Ipswich Town.
Slovan Liberec owner Ondřej Kania said he had seriously considered adding a Scottish club to his portfolio, but described infrastructure beyond the country’s leading clubs as “disastrous” and said the cost of improving it was too high.
Former Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy said he “loved” his 33 days in charge but felt he should have taken the job in January rather than December. He said some players had become comfortable under caretaker Martin O’Neill and were resistant to his methods. Former Dundee United manager Mixu Paatelainen, meanwhile, blamed the timing of his seven-month spell for its failure and said he felt betrayed after his dismissal.
Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken is expected to decide in the coming days whether injured midfielder Blair Spittal will be replaced in the club’s European squad. James Wilson returned from Scotland Under-21 duty with a minor knock but is expected to be available for Hearts’ match against St Mirren. St Johnstone centre-half Bozo Mikulic is poised to return to the starting line-up against Aberdeen, potentially making his first start in eight months.