Inbound Celtic defender Auston Trusty will open a space for Sheffield United to push ahead in their pursuit of Chris Mepham – weeks after the Bournemouth outcast was linked with Parkhead.
The USA international is putting the finishing touches on his £6m deal in London as he awaits a visa. And now Chris Wilder appears sweet on the 26-year-old Wales international who is not in the Cherries’ plans for the season. Mepham is likely to cost £6m – the same fee they will receive from Celtic for the USA international.
Meanwhile, former Celtic No.2 Chris Davies is pushing to sign midfielder Tomoki Iwata as the Japan international weighs up a shock move to the third tier of English football. The former J-League player of the year has been on the fringes of the squad this year and it appears a potential move to ambitious Brum is escalating – reports the Sun. It remains unclear if this will be a loan or permanent deal.
Celtic will announce the £11m signing of Arne Engels in the coming hours and Dundee’s Luke McCowan remains on the radar of the Premiership champions.
Elsewhere, Champions League new boys Brest remain keen on Mahamadou Diawara – hours after Celtic had a loan with an obligation to buy for £6.8m turfed out. The former PSG kid remains wanted by Lyon but the bids are piling up for a player who could leave before the window.