Your January 15 transfer window update. Not The Old Firm brings updates on Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen, Dundee United, St Johnstone and Ross County.
Hearts latest on Steinwender, Kalu and Chesnokov
Hearts have taken a massive step forwards in their attempts to sign Austrian defender Michael Steinwender.
A fee has been agreed with his club IFK Varnamo and it’s believed personal terms are also close too, with the player to fly into Edinburgh on Sunday. That could mean he could face Kilmarnock in the next Premiership match.
Reports in Sweden had suggested the Tynecastle men were lining up his club teammate Johnbosco Kalu, but Not the Old Firm understands those were wide of the mark.
We broke the news that Hearts were in talks with winger Islam Chesnokov earlier this week and understand that those talks are still ongoing, with sources close to it saying patience is required.
Kye Rowles is still expected to leave for DC United and that one could be announced imminently.
In good news for Hearts fans, Zander Clark has penned a new two-year deal to stay at the club despite reported interest from Hibs.
Hibs updates
Moving across the city and Hibs are being linked with Jani Atanasov, the North Macedonia and Cracovia midfielder.
Not the Old Firm understands the 25-year-old is on a long list of potential targets but their interest goes no further at this stage.
Meanwhile, David Gray is hopeful of getting Lewis Miller to sign a new contract with his current one up in the summer.
He said: “Lewis is one of many players that are out of contract and there’s conversations being had all the time.
“Especially now, because obviously in the last six months of contracts, they can speak to other clubs and see what they want to do. And players want that clarity on the future.
“So there is conversations going on all the time and Lewis is one of, I think it might be 15 players, between 10 and 15 players that are out of contract at the end of the season.
“At this moment in time, the full focus is on trying to get in the starting XI and trying to play to the best of their ability. But he is one that we’ve got an option on and there’s conversations going on all the time.”
Aberdeen ace attracts interest
In-form left-back Jack Mackenzie is one of the several Aberdeen players out of contract in the summer and he has previously been linked to English clubs Sheffield Wednesday, Preston and Stoke City.
A more recent report from Sky Sports claims Wednesday are now stepping up their interest.
We told yesterday how Aberdeen are interested in a loan deal for Kal Naismith but any deal hinged on the player’s wishes.
Dundee United Dalby latest
Dundee United are desperate to keep hold of the Scottish Premiership’s top scorer Sam Dalby, on loan from Wrexham who hold an option to recall him.
The English League One side’s manager Phil Parkinson has now said a decision will be reached this week.
Jim Goodwin is looking to add more quality to his squad and said: “The next step is that we add a bit of quality to what we’ve already got and make sure we don’t leave ourselves short going into an important part of the season.
“There are talks going on with one or two players at the moment. They are good players with a bit of interest from other clubs but we are in a good position to sell Dundee United to them.
“They can look at the league table and see where we are sitting, which can make those conversations easier. From there, it’s just about coming to a financial agreement that’s workable and manageable for us.
“We won’t have money available to go and buy players like one or two others are – the money some of the clubs are spending in this window is something we can only dream of. But we’ll look to add on loan – at least one, possibly two. That should put us in a strong position for the league’s latter stages.”
Ross County Jonathan Tomkinson link
Ross County could sign American defender Jonathan Tomkinson on loan from Norwich.
Don Cowie was looking for defensive cover with Kacper Lopata injured and despite that not being as serious as feared, Tomkinson could still be drafted in, according to the Daily Record.
St Johnstone in for Eremenko
Roman Eremenko, brother of Kilmarnock hero Alexei, is set for a training stint at St Johnstone with the chance to win a deal.
The 37-year-old has Champions League experience and is set to come in to train with fellow Fin, Simo Valakari.
Former Nottingham Forest and Morecambe midfielder Jake Taylor will also go on trial, reports The Courier.