Scottish Premiership giants Celtic are reportedly continuing their pursuit of Hibernian midfielder Miguel Chaiwa, though a significant gap remains in their respective valuations of the player. While Celtic are understood to be keen on the 22-year-old Zambian international and would consider a bid around the £5 million mark, they are reportedly unwilling to meet Hibernian's reported £7 million asking price.
This ongoing transfer saga highlights the complexities of player valuations in the current football market. Hibernian's stance suggests they see Chaiwa as a key asset, commanding a premium fee, while Celtic's reluctance to meet that figure could indicate a strategic approach to their transfer budget or a belief that the player's market value is lower. The difference of £2 million could prove to be a significant hurdle in any potential deal, potentially leading to prolonged negotiations or Celtic exploring alternative targets.
In other transfer news from the Scottish Premiership, Celtic are also expected to submit a revised offer for Sandefjord centre-half Zinedin Smajlovic. This follows the rejection of their initial £3.5 million bid for the Bosnia-Herzegovina international. The club's continued interest in defensive reinforcements suggests a clear strategy to strengthen their backline ahead of the new season.
Meanwhile, across Glasgow, Rangers are reportedly considering a notable swap deal involving goalkeepers. The club is said to be open to a straight exchange with Hull City, which would see Jack Butland move to the Championship club in return for Ivor Pandur. This potential move could signal a shake-up in Rangers' goalkeeping department. Additionally, Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin has attracted interest from Real Betis, who are looking at potential replacements for Dani Ceballos.
The transfer window is a crucial period for Scottish clubs as they look to bolster their squads for domestic and European competitions. The reported frustrations from former players, such as Chris Sutton, regarding Celtic's perceived slow activity, underscore the high expectations placed on clubs to make impactful signings. These developments will undoubtedly be closely watched by fans as the new season approaches.