Rangers and Celtic Chase Reinforcements as January Window Heats Up

By LiveScore365 Newsroom · Chelsea

Scotland's two biggest clubs are both active in the transfer market, with Rangers and Celtic pursuing a host of targets across multiple positions ahead of the winter window.

Rangers are weighing up a short-term loan move for Lens striker Rayan Fofana, 20, as they look to cover for the injured Youssef Chermiti. The Ibrox club see the French forward as a viable stopgap option while Chermiti recovers from his fitness setback.

More significantly, Rangers appear close to finalising a deal for Girona winger Kim Min-Su. The Gers are reportedly nearing an agreement that would trigger an £8.5m release clause for the 20-year-old South Korea international, with a medical said to be scheduled for Monday. If completed, the move would represent a substantial investment in a player already established on the international stage.

Across the city, Celtic are working on several fronts to strengthen their squad. The Hoops are in advanced talks over a move for Slovan Liberec midfielder Ermin Mahmic, with a fee in the region of £7m plus £1.5m in potential add-ons being discussed for the 21-year-old Bosnia-Herzegovina international. Mahmic enhanced his reputation with a strong showing at the World Cup, and Celtic are understood to be in pole position to secure his signature despite interest from several European clubs, including Schalke, Club Brugge, Union St-Gilloise and Toulouse.

Celtic are also closing in on a season-long loan agreement for Chelsea left-back Landon Emenalo, a move that would add depth to their defensive options. Additionally, with first-choice right-back Alistair Johnston facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury, Celtic are exploring alternatives in that position. The Parkhead club have been made aware that Southampton defender Yuki Sugawara could be available, and he is being considered as a potential solution to their right-back concerns.

Elsewhere in Scottish football, Hearts striker Claudio Braga has moved to dampen speculation over his future, insisting he is not looking to leave Tynecastle despite reported interest from Lyon and Trabzonspor. The 26-year-old has attracted attention from both France and Turkey, but for now appears content to remain with the Edinburgh side.

The flurry of activity underlines the competitive nature of the January transfer window in Scotland, with both Rangers and Celtic looking to bolster their squads across several positions. Rangers' pursuit of Kim Min-Su in particular suggests a significant financial commitment, while Celtic's multi-pronged approach - targeting a midfielder, a left-back and potentially a right-back - reflects the scale of their squad-building ambitions this winter.

With deals potentially finalised in the coming days, both Glasgow clubs will be hoping to have their targets in place as they look to strengthen their positions domestically and in any European commitments. The scramble for defensive cover appears particularly pressing for Celtic given Johnston's extended absence, while Rangers' interest in Fofana highlights the urgency of finding attacking reinforcements following Chermiti's injury.

As the window progresses, further developments are expected on all fronts, with both clubs continuing to assess their options in what has already proven to be an eventful period of transfer business for Scottish football's leading sides.

Based on reporting from BBC Sport, citing Scottish Sun, Daily Record, Sky Sports and Edinburgh Evening News.

Sources: bbc-sport-football
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