Free agent midfielder is Celtic 'main target' as outcast Rangers man clause is revealed

The Scottish Premiership will take a brief break this weekend as Celtic and Rangers spring into action in the Scottish League Cup. The Hoops are up against Hibs while the Gers are hosting St Johnstone at Ibrox.

There is still time for transfer business to unfold as well, so let’s take a look at some of the latest headlines doing the rounds on the Glasgow rumour mill.

Free agent midfielder a ‘main target’ for Celtic

Celtic continue to search for another new outfield player this summer and have been linked with Renato Tapia, who is available to sign as a free agent. The midfielder’s contract with Celta Viga recently expired as he ‘did not feel fully valued’ and now his name is being mentioned across a number of leagues.

News from Transfermarkt, relayed via Bolavip, reports that Tapia is the ‘main target’ for clubs including Union Berlin, Fluminense and Celtic. All clubs reportedly have a ‘positive presence’ in this pursuit but there is yet to be any concrete offer on the table from any interested party.

Tapia, a Peru international, did not play during the 2024 Copa América so he could ‘avoid getting injured’ ahead of move elsewhere this summer.

Outcast Rangers man clause revealed

It was reported earlier this week that Ianis Hagi is ‘keen on staying’ at Rangers despite being demoted to the club’s B team. The 25-year-old is no longer viewed as a part of Philippe Clement’s plans moving forward. However, a new revelation has shed some light on a contract clause that could also be playing a part in Hagi’s omission from the first team.

Sky Sports has reported that the Romanian has a clause in place that would see a wage increase triggered if Hagi starts more matches for Rangers (relayed via Rangers Review). Hagi has not featured for the senior side in almost a year but he contributed a hat-trick for the B team at the weekend against Derby County.

Other reports claim that while the Romanian does not have any concrete offers in for him at the moment, the club are scouting out his next team.