Celtic sign Junior Adamu and stand firm on Arne Engels

Junior Adamu became Celtic’s first deadline-day signing after the Scottish champions rejected a £25million bid for Arne Engels.

After having offers in the region of £14m and £17m rebuffed, the Press Association understands Nottingham Forest returned with a third bid for the 22-year-old Belgium midfielder.

However, the Hoops have turned down the opportunity to make a significant profit on a player they bought for £11m from Augsburg in August 2024.

After failing to replace main goalscorer Kyogo Furuhashi in the final week of last year’s winter transfer window, Celtic appear to be taking no chances amid what is gearing up to be the most competitive William Hill Premiership title race in decades.

Austria international forward Adamu has arrived on loan from Freiburg with Celtic having the option to buy the 24-year-old, who has scored two goals this season.

Manager Martin O’Neill confirmed on Sunday that a deal to sign Lorient winger Joel Mvuka was at an advanced stage, while the Hoops are also eager to add a centre-back.

That could pave the way for Stephen Welsh to return to Motherwell after he was recalled from a season-long loan at Fir Park in mid-January.

Rangers boss Danny Rohl hopes to finalise a deal for Hansa Rostock forward Ryan Naderi, who has reportedly arrived in the UK, but it remains to seen if the German club will sanction the sale this month.

In one of the most eye-catching moves of deadline day, Hearts forward James Wilson will make a loan move to Tottenham instead of rivals Arsenal. Jambos boss Derek McInnes confirmed the Gunners had made an enquiry for the 18-year-old on Sunday, but he will move to N17 on an initial loan instead, PA understands.

Wilson, capped by Scotland, has been a peripheral figure this season although his departure may force Hearts – already without injured top scorer Lawrence Shankland – to step up their pursuit of a new forward, with McInnes previously having said a new arrival was unlikely.

Hibernian have completed the signing of 27-year-old former Borussia Dortmund right-back Felix Passlack from Bochum for an undisclosed fee on a three-and-a-half-year contract. Croatian winger Ante Suto was also expected to check in at Easter Road before the deadline.

Falkirk announced the arrival of Aston Villa winger Ben Broggio on loan with the 19-year-old becoming their third new January recruit.

Aberdeen have signed 27-year-old midfielder Dennis Geiger on loan from Hoffenheim, with an option to buy, while Adil Aouchiche and Leighton Clarkson could be on the way out.

Kilmarnock became the first club to announce a deadline-day signing as DR Congo international Aaron Tshibola returned for a fourth spell at Rugby Park.

The 31-year-old midfielder, who has spent recent seasons in Turkey and Greece, has agreed a contract until the end of the season.

Dundee have signed Dutch defender Lewis Montsma on a six-month deal from Lincoln, while Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin said there would “possibly be one going out and one coming in” at Tannadice.

Speculation continued to surround the future of Premiership top goalscorer Tawanda Maswanhise, with Anderlecht reportedly expressing their interest, but Motherwell have been clear in their stance that the Zimbabwe forward will stay at Fir Park for the rest of the season.

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.