Wouter Vrancken Set to Lead Hearts
Former St Truiden head coach Wouter Vrancken is expected to take over as the new manager of Heart of Midlothian. Vrancken, who left Belgian club St Truiden this summer after guiding them to third place in the Belgian Pro League, is seeking a fresh challenge. Reports from the Daily Record indicate that he will assume the managerial role at Hearts.
According to Hearts Standard, the 47-year-old Vrancken has been interviewed alongside former AZ Alkmaar manager Maarten Martens and Rene Hake, who has coaching experience at Feyenoord and Manchester United, as part of the selection process for the Hearts head coach position.
Transfer Developments Involving Hearts and Other Clubs
French club Lyon is reportedly in discussions with Hearts regarding the transfer of forward Claudio Braga. The Tynecastle club is aiming to secure approximately £8.6 million for the 26-year-old Portuguese striker, as reported by Foot Mercato.
The Edinburgh Evening News adds that Hearts will demand between £8 million and £10 million for Braga, with Lyon and other interested parties pursuing the player, especially following Lyon's loss of Brazilian forward Endrick after his loan from Real Madrid ended.
Hearts are also showing interest in Zwolle striker Koen Kostons. The club is prepared to offer around £1.3 million for the 26-year-old, who was signed from Paderborn last summer, according to De Stentor.
Michael Steinwender is currently in negotiations concerning a potential transfer to German second-tier club Bochum. Hearts are expected to make a profit on the six-figure fee they paid to Varnamo for the 26-year-old defender 18 months ago, as reported by the Edinburgh Evening News.
Other Player Movements and Interests
Tottenham Hotspur have approved another loan move for Mikey Moore. Rangers hope the 18-year-old winger will return to Ibrox amid interest from clubs in the Championship and Europe, according to TeamTalk.
Rangers are reportedly set to demand around £20 million for Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin this summer. Clubs from the Premier League, Serie A, and Turkey's Super Lig are competing to sign the 25-year-old, as noted by Football Insider.
Additionally, Rangers are in a strong position to re-sign Czech winger Vaclav Cerny for approximately £5 million. The 28-year-old is open to leaving Besiktas, according to Football Insider.
English and European Transfer Rumours
Kilmarnock have secured a move for Mathurin, facilitated by McCann's involvement.
Middlesbrough have emerged as the latest Championship club linked with Hibernian midfielder Josh Mulligan, as they prepare to sell Hayden Hackney to Everton, according to the Daily Mail. However, Teeside Live reports that Middlesbrough are unlikely to formalize their interest in the 23-year-old, who is expected to attract more lucrative offers amid interest from West Ham United and Southampton.
Marcelo Saracchi's agent has stated that Celtic have not made contact regarding a permanent move following the left-back's loan from Boca Juniors. However, other clubs, including one from Scotland, have expressed interest in the 28-year-old, as reported by Celts Are Here.
Celtic face competition to sign Bosnia & Herzegovina midfielder Ivan Basic. Eintracht Frankfurt and Elche are also interested in the £2 million-rated 24-year-old from Astana, according to the Scottish Sun.
Scotland striker Che Adams is among Venezia's targets this summer. Torino, however, seek more than the £3.5 million offer made by their Serie A rivals for the 29-year-old, as reported by Sky Sports.
Bolton Wanderers are in advanced talks to sign midfielder Luca Stephenson after Liverpool informed the 22-year-old that he is free to find a new club following his loan spell at Dundee United, according to Football Insider.
Bournemouth defenders Owen Bevan, 22, and Harold William, 19, are currently on trial with Dundee, as reported by The Courier.
Sheffield Wednesday are considering re-signing Scotland international forward Callum Paterson after his successful season with MK Dons, according to The Wednesday Word.
Several out-of-contract players, including former Scotland centre-half Declan Gallagher, released by Ross County; former Ayr United striker Curtis Main; defender Ewan Otoo, who left Dunfermline Athletic; and former Greenock Morton winger Owen Moffat, are among those attending the first summer pre-season training camp organized by the Scottish players' union, as reported by The Courier.
