There’s nothing quite like a good transfer story to get the anticipation going – and thankfully, we have a lots of those today.
Huge money moves, big name transfers and less than two weeks before the window slams shut.
Here are today’s top stories…
Top Stories
- Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes says Celtic and Rangers are favourites to finish top two in the Premiership but has urged his players to challenge for their places. (Times)
- Stoke have agreed a £200,000 deal for Dundee United’s 6ft 7in central defender Harry Souttar, 17. (Dundee Courier)
- Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has challenged midfielder Peter Pawlett to seize his opportunity to re-establish himself at Pittodrie. (Press and Journal)
- Following Joey Barton’s jibe about Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers’ “mid-life crisis”, boss Mark Warburtson has insisted he won’t censure the midfielder, saying the comments about Rodgers’ tan and teeth were “light humour”. (Herald)
- Hearts are expecting another bid from Wigan Athletic for their 21-year-old right-back Callum Paterson. (Scotsman)
- Celtic’s Israeli midfielder Nir Bitton says he will have around 30 friends and family members cheering on Hapoel but he won’t celebrate in front of them if Celtic progress. (Various)
- Craig Gordon promises he will fight for his place as first-choice Celtic goalkeeper now that Rodgers has brought Dutch keeper Dorus de Vries to the club. (Various)
- St Johnstone midfielder Danny Swanson is training to become a tiler to help boost his chances of gaining entry to Australia a few years from now. (Sun)
Done Deals
- Luke Hendrie has joined Kimarnock on loan from Premier League side Burnley until January.
- Simon Moore has moved from Cardiff to Sheffield United for an undisclosed amount.
- Vincent Sasso has joined Sheffield Wednesday on an undisclosed deal from Portuguese side Braga.
South of the Border
- Manchester City are refusing to let England goalkeeper Joe Hart leave on loan and want more than £30m for the 29-year-old. (Sun)
- Arsenal have started talks with Atletico Madrid over the signing of 21-year-old Uruguay centre-back Jose Gimenez. (Daily Mail)
- However, Arsenal will have to pay Jose Gimenez’s release clause of 65m euros (£56m). (Marca)
- Manchester United will not be signing any other players this summer after spending £156m on new faces this season. (Daily Mail)
- Portugal goalkeeper Eduardo, 33, will join Chelsea next week, according to Dinamo Zagreb manager Zlatko Kranjcar. (ESPN)
And Finally…
Scotland midfielder Scott Brown has retired from international football.
The Celtic captain won his 50th and final cap against Denmark back in March but has now decided to call time on his Dark Blues run in a bid to prolong his Hoops career.
The 31-year-old has struggled with a number of injuries in recent seasons and has now told national team boss Gordon Strachan he no longer wishes to be selected ahead of next month’s opening World Cup qualifier in Malta.