Celtic are aiming to complete several deadline-day deals but they could face a major decision the other way amid interest in Arne Engels.
Manager Martin O’Neill confirmed on Sunday deals to sign Freiburg forward Junior Adamu and Lorient winger Joel Mvuka were at an advanced stage and more activity could follow with a central defender on the shopping list.
O’Neill had no knowledge of a reported £14million bid from Nottingham Forest for midfielder Engels, who started in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Falkirk. But it was claimed on Monday morning Forest had a second bid of more than £17m rejected.
O’Neill said after the game: “Honestly, I am telling you, I didn’t know anything about it. If they’ve done it, then they must have done it during the game.
“And I would want it rebuffed. Unless it was £100m. And then I think the board would step in there.”
Centre-back Stephen Welsh came off the bench against Falkirk but O’Neill confirmed he could still return to Motherwell on Monday after being recalled from a season-long loan in mid-January.
O’Neill said: “Welshy has done very, very well at Motherwell, and in an ideal world, he would probably want to go back. And I don’t really want to stop him when he’s on a really good run there at this minute. So that might depend on us getting someone else in as cover.”
Elsewhere in the William Hill Premiership, Rangers head coach Danny Rohl is hoping for another addition.
“The club will make the final decision, what is on, what is not on,” he said after a goalless draw at Hibernian.
Hibs are expected to sign Bochum right-back Felix Passlack and Croatian winger Ante Suto with head coach David Gray saying: “I do expect a bit of movement.”
Falkirk boss John McGlynn confirmed he was in the hunt for an attacking player with January signing Ben Parkinson facing up to 12 weeks out with an ankle injury.
McGlynn said: “We’ve got something going on. Whether it comes off or not, we don’t know. If we get it, great. If we don’t, we’re not going to be too concerned.”
Aberdeen are expected to sign midfielder Dennis Geiger from Hoffenheim while Adil Aouchiche and Leighton Clarkson could be on the way out.
Hearts manager Derek McInnes revealed on Saturday he would ideally like to sign a striker but a new arrival does not look likely.
Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin said there would be “possibly be one going out and one coming in” at Tannadice while rivals Dundee are dealing with interest in defender Luke Graham as well as looking to bring in additions at both ends of the pitch.
There could be movement at St Mirren, who are reportedly in talks with Arsenal over selling Evan Mooney, while David Martindale’s first job as Livingston sporting director may be to look at replacing Mahamadou Susoho, who was recalled by Manchester City at the weekend.
Kilmarnock added wingers Findlay Curtis and Nicky Clescenco on Friday and could now be finished in the market.
