Celtic are reportedly intensifying their pursuit of Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis as the Scottish champions look to bolster their squad depth ahead of a crucial period in the Champions League. According to reports, the Parkhead club plan to accelerate their approach for the 22-year-old following Tuesday's Champions League play-off second leg away to LASK.
Gineitis is seen as one of several targets Celtic are considering as they aim to strengthen their midfield options during the current transfer window. The club's recruitment team appears to be casting a wide net across Europe in search of value additions that could enhance squad competition for the season ahead.
Alongside their interest in the Torino man, Celtic are also reported to be closing in on a deal for Bosnian international Ermin Mahmic. The 21-year-old, who impressed at the World Cup, plays for Slovan Liberec and is valued at around £7m. Sources suggest the move for Mahmic could go through regardless of the outcome of Celtic's Champions League tie in Linz against LASK, indicating the club's determination to press ahead with squad building independent of continental results.
Celtic's transfer activity does not stop there. The Scottish side have also reportedly tabled an offer worth £7.7m for Frosinone winger Fares Ghedjemis. However, Celtic face competition for the Algerian international, with Rangers, Monaco and Besiktas all said to be interested in securing his signature. The battle for Ghedjemis could develop into a notable transfer saga given the number of clubs circling the winger.
Across the Old Firm divide, Rangers find themselves managing a different kind of transfer situation. The Ibrox club have received initial contact from clubs in England, Italy and Spain regarding Belgian midfielder Nico Raskin. Rangers are reportedly prepared to sanction his departure should their valuation of the player be met, despite Raskin having two years remaining on his current contract. His potential exit would represent a significant departure for Rangers, who will need to assess how to replace his influence in midfield if a move materialises.
Elsewhere in Scottish football, attention has also turned toward the development of homegrown talent. Craig Mulholland, the Scottish FA's chief football officer, has pledged to push clubs toward fielding more Scottish-developed players. Mulholland believes this approach could generate substantial financial benefits for clubs while simultaneously strengthening the national team's long-term prospects. His comments reflect an ongoing conversation within Scottish football about balancing lucrative overseas signings with investment in domestic pathways for young players.
As the transfer window continues, both Celtic and Rangers appear to be navigating parallel challenges: Celtic seeking to add quality across multiple positions while fending off competition from other suitors, and Rangers weighing up how to handle interest in a key player nearing the midpoint of his contract. With Champions League qualification stakes high for Celtic and broader questions about player development being raised at a national level, Scottish football's summer transfer business looks set to remain active in the coming weeks.
The outcome of these various negotiations could shape the competitive landscape between Scotland's two most successful clubs as they prepare for another season of domestic and European competition.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport, Scottish Sun, Daily Record, Rangers Review, and Murat Ozen on X.