Football rumours: Hearts target Lafferty, Ashley to sell Rangers stake, Celtic’s Simunovic to Serie A, Matic to Manchester United

HEARTS have launched a shock bid to sign former Rangers star Kyle Lafferty.

According to the Daily Record, the Northern Irish striker is top of Ian Cathro’s wish list.

A free agent after a disappointing three year spell at Norwich, Lafferty had been linked with an Ibrox return earlier in the window, but Pedro Caixinha’s signing spree suggests that is unlikely.

Ipswich are thought to be Hearts’ main rivals for the signature of the 29-year-old hitman.

Rangers have been doing deals left, right and centre during this window and one of the most important could be with Mike Ashley.

Yesterday’s announcement of a new kit deal could be followed by Ashley selling his stake in the club, reports the Daily Mail.

They say the Sports Direct billionaire will sell his 8.92-per-cent stake in Rangers to supporters’ groups and an unnamed overseas investor.

They also report that a third bid has been made for Graham Dorrans.

Lazio are the latest club to show interest in Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic, reports the Evening Times.

The 22-year-old impressed as part of the Hoops’ ‘invincibles’ last season and has been linked with a number of clubs across Europe, as well as Premier League sides West Brom, Crystal Palace and Newcastle.

The Press & Journal report that Aberdeen are well placed to land Greg Stewart on loan from Birmingham.

The former Dundee striker has also been courted by the Dundee, Motherwell and Hearts.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill says he advised Liam Boyce to join Burton rather than head to Pittodrie, describing the English second tier as “a higher level”.

Boyce’s national team boss says he advised the 26-year-old former Ross County player to “take his chance” at a career down south. (Daily Record)

Oxford United are considering a move for Partick Thistle boss Alan Archibald.

It’s the second approach on Firhill by the League One side after they held talks with former Jags defender Liam Lindsay before he opted to join Barnsley earlier this week.

Steven Pressley has also thrown his hat into the ring for the job. (Daily Record)

Chelsea are close to signing Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko for £35million, reports the Daily Mail, a move that would allow Nemanja Matic to move north to Manchester United.

Bakayoko, 22, won Ligue 1 and reached the Champions League semi-finals to capture Antonio Conte’s imagination and the Blues boss would listen to United offers for Serbian schemer Matic, once a title-winner under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea.

Kelechi Iheanacho could leave Manchester City if Craig Shakespeare’s Leicester are successful with a £25 million bid. The Daily Telegraph claim Iheanacho will be deemed surplus to requirements if City boss Pep Guardiola lands a world-class striker to play alongside Sergio Aguero and former Premier League champions Leicester would gladly take the 20-year-old to the King Power Stadium.

Staying with City and the Etihad Stadium outfit are eager to complete a double swoop for right-backs Dani Alves and Kyle Walker over the next few days. But while the Brazilian is in talks with Juventus over a mutual termination of his contract that would allow him to move to England, Walker looks likely to stay put as Tottenham stand firm on their £50million valuation, says the Independent.

Jose Reina could be reunited with his former manager at Liverpool, Rafael Benitez, as Newcastle consider an approach for the Spanish goalkeeper. The Northern Echo reports that the Magpies are watching contract extension talks between Reina and his current club Napoli with keen interest.

The Liverpool Echo writes that Everton are willing to listen for offers for Oumar Niasse, who was successful during a loan spell with Hull but who looks to be persona non grata at Goodison Park.