Celtic standout attrects more transfer interest, Rangers bid blown out of the water - SPFL transfers

The summer transfer window is finally heating up for Celtic, who are now said to be closing in on their second signing of the summer in Paderborn midfielder Mika Baur.

Martin O'Neill is desperate for new signings, and he is finally likely to get some more over the next couple of weeks, with the Hoops desperate to have at least a couple more in before the start of the new season in less than two weeks.

Elsewhere, Celtic's rivals continue to add to their respective squads, and here we round up all the latest news and transfer gossip from around the top flight.

Engels still attracting more interest

Another English side are said to be pushing for an Arne Engels deal this summer. Championship club West Ham are now said to be interested after their relegation. The Hammers are armed with some serious cash after selling Mateus Fernandes for £85million, and they are close to selling Crysencio Summerville for more than £60million.

TeamTalk say the Hammers have now entered a race, which already features a number of Premier League sides, with Celtic's price for their star midfielder set at £25million.

Rangers outbid and beaten to signing

Rangers have been trying to sign Tromso midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl over the last couple of weeks, but their pursuit is now over, according to Ibrox News.

It's claimed Championship club Cardiff City have submitted a whopping £7.8million in a bid to close the deal, with Rangers only previously offering £5.3million. That should do it for the Bluebirds, who are hoping to kickstart their summer window having had a quiet window so far.

Rangers have been busy this summer, but their next midfield recruit will likely have to come elsewhere.

Robinson sends blunt message

Aberdeen boss Stephen Robinson is not messing around with his squad this summer, sending a very blunt message to the young players who might be eyeing a first-team path.

“Playing for Aberdeen is not easy. Look at the top five teams last year, I think there were one or two young players playing regularly if you look at those teams, Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Hibs and Motherwell. There weren’t many young players who played," he said, as reported by AberdeenLive.

"It is a real tough league to come in and with the expectations that are here. They have to be ready and we do it in different ways. Marsh has gone out on loan. He has to come in and be better than what is front of him. That is the reality of being a first-team footballer.

"It is not the democratic society of Aberdeen where everybody gets equal game time. You have to be better than the person in front of you. Marsh is working towards doing that. There are other younger players who we believe going out on loan to will be a real benefit.

"It doesn’t mean to say that all these players will be top-six players for Aberdeen right now because they come from our academy. Ultimately, they have to play football rather than sitting on the bench. I think the club do this really well with the loan system we have."

Today's best reads

• Celtic in Engels exit talks, Rangers dealt transfer blow and Hearts 'agree' deal - SPFL transfers
• Celtic set for fresh Arne Engels interest from Championship club
• Celtic's midfield target rejects them and requests lower-paid Rangers deal instead
• Celtic 'closing in' on midfielder - and there could be 2 more quickly after
• Bundesliga expert explains what Celtic are getting with Mika Baur signing

This article was originally published on thecelticbhoys.com as Celtic standout attrects more transfer interest, Rangers bid blown out of the water - SPFL transfers.