Latest news with #ScottishPremiership
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Tottenham transfer got ‘cancelled by angry club' after medical due to clause row
Tottenham were on the verge of signing Fulham striker Moussa Dembele in January 2016, but the deal was dramatically cancelled at the last minute despite the player wanting the move Tottenham were once close to signing Fulham's Moussa Dembele - only for the transfer to be scrapped at the eleventh hour after the forward had already completed his medical. In January 2016, Spurs were hot on the heels of rivals Arsenal and surprise Premier League contenders Leicester City in their pursuit of a first Premier League title. Spurs had Harry Kane in their ranks following his incredible breakthrough 18 months earlier. Yet club chairman Levy identified the need to strengthen the side's attacking options and provide support for Kane as they sought to compete in the second half of the season. Fulham 's promising striker, Dembele - not to be confused with Spurs' own dynamic midfielder at the time - was subsequently targeted as Spurs' main January target. Levy negotiated a bargain £6million deal with Fulham for the then-19-year-old, whose contract was due to run out that summer. Dembele even passed a Spurs medical two days before the January transfer deadline, with the move seemingly a done deal. However, the West Londoners were keen for their talented youngster to return to Craven Cottage until the end of the 2015/16 season due to their efforts to battle relegation and a transfer embargo that left them unable to sign any replacements in January. They hoped to agree a deal that would still see them receive a fee for Dembele despite him becoming a free agent at the end of the season. Spurs, however, were unimpressed by Fulham's demands and insisted he be allowed to join their squad immediately. The Guardian reported that the disagreement led to Fulham 'angrily' cancelling the deal with Tottenham. Negotiations were not revived, and the forward was said to be left bitterly disappointed. The Lilywhites didn't end up buying a player in January and finished third that season, while Leicester City remarkably clinched the league title with a ten-point margin. In the following summer, Spurs signed Moussa Sissoko and Vincent Janssen, while Dembele joined Scottish giants Celtic on a four-year contract. He had two successful seasons there, scoring 51 goals in 94 appearances and winning two Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups. In 2018, Dembele returned to his home country, signing for Lyon where he netted 70 goals in 172 appearances between 2018 and 2023. He then joined the influx of former big names moving to the Saudi Pro League in July 2023, signing for Al-Ettifaq as a free agent. Despite a disappointing season for the team, Dembele, having been one of Steven Gerrard's first signings, scored 14 goals in 26 appearances. Still just 28 years old, he registered seven goals and four assists in 21 games for Al-Ettifaq in 2024/25. The team finished seventh in the Saudi Pro League, with the ship steadying following Gerrard's departure after the side had been left just five points clear of the relegation zone.
Scotsman
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
New Hearts signings join a 'huge operation'
Derek McInnes is preparing for season 2025/26 in the Scottish Premiership Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Six new signings so far with more to come. It has been a busy and productive summer transfer window at Hearts, who depart for a week-long pre-season training camp in Spain on Saturday. Head coach Derek McInnes has welcomed recruits from across Europe, with various new accents heard echoing along Riccarton's corridors. Importantly, they all speak English and are being integrated into Edinburgh life as part of Hearts' operation. That operation is a sizeable one, McInnes noted. He is still familiarising himself with new work colleagues a month after leaving Kilmarnock. He will take 28 players to Spain and all six new signings are due to travel - Norwegian right-back Christian Borchgrevink, Greek winger Alexandros Kyziridis, Belgian striker Elton Kabangu, Irish midfielder Oisin McEntee, Portuguese striker Claudio Braga and Scottish centre-back Stuart Findlay. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Kazakhstan international winger Islam Chesnokov has agreed a pre-contract with Hearts and the Edinburgh club would like to sign him in a permanent transfer before the summer window closes. There may be one or two additional signings thereafter, but that could depend on which players leave. McInnes took charge of a 31-man first-team squad at the start of pre-season, including the new arrivals. 'Everyone has settled in well, they all speak good English and are interacting brilliantly,' said the manager. 'The communication is vital, especially in key positions on the pitch. From a recruitment perspective, it's something we spoke about and from a Hearts point of view it's something we wanted to be a key part of it with the players we signed from outside the UK. 'Footballers are footballers, they're normally good lads who enjoy being about their team-mates. They set about their training with enthusiasm and vigour. Each and every one of them has brought something different. Like every dressing-room, some are brighter and bubblier than others but everyone has settled well. Banking and housing for new signings as the Scottish football season 2025/26 nears 'The club has been brilliant helping them settle, helping them with their accommodation, bank accounts, helping them with their families and that sort of stuff. It's a time where players have to be really selfish and focused on getting fit. They have to be single-minded but the club is great at taking care of the other stuff. We are just accelerating their work, putting demands on them, so that integration is essential.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hearts' expansion in recent years involves greater staff numbers at Riccarton, but McInnes is aware of the club's ultimate priority. 'This club is a big operation,' he added. 'We are part of it here at Oriam. There's the women's team, there's the academy, there's under-18s, there's the B team, it's a huge organisation. Everyone's job is better at Hearts, everyone's life is easier if the first team is winning so we need to make sure we get a winning team on the pitch. I am not surprised by the stature of Hearts, it's what I expected.'
STV News
14 hours ago
- Sport
- STV News
Martindale relishing having Bartley back at Livingston as coach
David Martindale is relishing the prospect of having Marvin Bartley back at Livingston as first-team coach. The 38-year-old former Bournemouth, Burnley and Hibernian midfielder initially joined the Lions as a player in 2019 and then became assistant boss before leaving to become manager of Queen of the South in 2023. Bartley – working predominantly as a pundit since departing Queens a year ago – has now been handed the chance to return to West Lothian after previous first-team coach Brian Rice moved into a new role as head of football operations ahead of the club's return to the William Hill Premiership. 'Brian's change in role left a void in the coaching team and it was a no-brainer to speak to Marv and see if he would like to come back and be a part of my coaching staff again,' Martindale told the Lions' official website. 'My relationship with Marv over the years has only grown ever since the day we signed him from Hibs. I have huge respect for him as both a person and as a coach. 'We have always kept in touch so I knew he was itching to get back on the grass and I'm just delighted we can get him back to the club. 'It's a hugely positive signing for myself and the club and I'm sure the players will really look forward to working with him. 'I feel bringing Marv back really softens the blow of losing Chipper (Rice) in the dugout, but having both of these guys at the club really is fantastic for everyone at Livingston.' Livingston have also re-signed midfielder Macaulay Tait on a season-long loan from Hearts. Tait, 19, was an ever-present in the second half of last season for Livingston, making 23 appearances as the club won promotion to the Scottish Premiership. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
14 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Cyprus move paid off as Esselink reaches UK 'target'
Dutch centre-half Bert Esselink believes his decision to ignore advice not to move to Cyprus when he was 20 has paid off after reaching his "target" of playing in the United Kingdom by signing for Dundee 25, Esselink has joined the Scottish Premiership club at the end of his contract with relegated Polish outfit Stal his first interview with United's club website, he explained that, having come through the youth ranks with De Graafschap and having just finished his university degree, he was given the chance to join PAEEK, then in the Cypriot second tier."My girlfriend and I decided to go to Cyprus even though people said don't do it and I am grateful we made that decision at the time," Esselink paid off with a move to APOEL Nicosia, with whom he got a taste of Europa Conference League football."The step to the biggest club in Cyprus was a big one - it makes you bigger as a player," Esselink said. "But there are bigger stages than playing at APOEL."I did not play many minutes, but it was good to experience how much European football can mean for a club."In addition to the chance to play in Conference League again this season, Esselink was attracted to the "history" and "warmth" he felt from Dundee United."When I was young, I always said I wanted to play in the UK," he said. Esselink is not daunted by the Premiership's tough reputation given the Polish Ekstraklasa "style of play is to be aggressive".
Daily Record
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Dor Turgeman to Rangers fee 'agreed' as mega money Dessers 'push' can unlock transfer amid Igamane standoff
The transfer merry-go-round is in motion at Ibrox amid the search for a new striker Rangers have reportedly told Maccabi Tel Aviv they are willing to meeting their asking price for Dor Turgeman. However, a deal is said to be on hold until after the Scottish Premiership side can offload either Cyriel Dessers or Hamza Igamane. Record Sport first revealed the Maccabi Tel Aviv man is a target for the Light Blues as Russell Martin looks to strengthen ahead of a new era at Ibrox. Israeli outlet 5 Sport report that Rangers are "willing to pay" the £5million asking price that Maccabi have placed on the frontman. But he may be facing a nervous wait over his future with Record Spor t revealing that Lille have been spooked by the Light Blues' £15million valuation of Moroccan striker Igamane. The French side are ready to switch their sights to fresh targets - but the departure of last season's top scorer Dessers could also clear a path for a move. AEK Athens remain keen on the Nigeria striker having lodged a £4.5million bid earlier this week. Feyenoord are also said to be keen on a deal for Dessers - but reports in Greece now suggest that AEK are launching a final effort to bring in the frontman. Voira report that a fresh "push" is being prepare to bring in the frontman with the club prepared to raise their offer to apply "pressure" to the Ibrox side. Sport Time claim that the contract that would be handed to Dessers is £1.5million per year but AEK still view him as a "significant" summer target. Earlier this month, Turgeman made it clear that he was hoping to leave Maccabi and take the next step in Europe. He said: "Right now I'm here (at Maccabi). Of course everyone wants to fulfil their dream in Europe and we'll see what happens. I'm ready to take on the next challenge." You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also on WhatsApp, where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to your phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
