McAuley to Rangers? Dembele to Marseille? Deadline week deals and their likelihood
As we enter the final week for transfer deals to be concluded we analyse who could still enter or leave the SPL before Friday’s deadline and rate the likelihood of the move.
Moussa Dembele
Celtic’s Moussa Dembele was one of the hottest prospects in European football at the end of the 2016/17 season. An injury-plagued 17/18 campaign brought interest to a simmer before a World Cup missing the young Frenchman extinguished any potential move. So good news for Celtic? Well not so much as Marseille have turned up the boil again and are now looking for a cut-price deal.
Celtic to Marseille – 4 / 5
Dedryck Boyata
Manager Brendan Rodgers insists he wants to keep Dedryck Boyata after scoring the winner on Sunday against Hamilton. Celtic captain Scott Brown has also publicity backed the Belgian international to stay. But the fans are torn. Sunday’s game against Hamilton began with protests against the centre back’s inclusion before fans found themselves celebrating Boyata’s winning goal. But it may be out of Rodgers’ hands if the 27 year old gets his way. After being denied a £9m move to Fulham it’s rumoured his agent is in talks with various clubs across Europe.
Boyata to leave Celtic – 3 / 5
Scott McKenna
Scott McKenna’s potential move to the Scottish champions is fairly straightforward. If Boyata goes, McKenna arrives. It’s belived a £3.5m fee was agreed last week and with the centre back keen to join contract talks will be quick. However, Brendan Rodgers told media his interest in Aberdeen’s Scott McKenna had stalled. This is clearly following Celtic and Boyata’s stalemate.
Aberdeen to Celtic – 3 / 5
Gareth McAuley
Steven Gerrard wants to build on his side’s early good form by adding another centre back. Unbeaten in three in the SPL and wins in the Scottish League Cup and Europa League haven’t put Gerrard off strengthening his squad further. Experienced centre half Gareth McAuley is still a free agent following his release from West Bromwich Albion and could be the leader at the back Gerrard clearly still believes is needed.
McAuley to Rangers – 5 / 5
Danny Swanson
Hibernian’s attacking midfielder is being lined up by a number of Scottish Premier League sides looking to bolster their squads. Reports in Edinburgh suggest Swanson has been told he can leave with Ross County and Dundee leading the chase. The question is not whether he’ll leave, but more likely whom to, as Swanson is keen to stay in the SPL rather than drop down a division or enter the lower leagues of the English Football League.
Hibernian to Ross County or Dundee – 5 / 5