Hibs transfer news: Kieron Bowie bid training impact, teen striker incoming and midfielder on radar
Hellas Verona back with improved offer for Celtic, Rangers target
Kieron Bowie is expected to train with his Hibs team-mates this morning, despite Serie A side Hellas Verona returning with an improved bid of close to £6 million for the Scotland striker yesterday. And, while the Easter Road club may yet accept a package that includes a series of add-ons, no deal has been agreed to sell the former Fulham forward just over 18 months on from his £600,000 arrival in Edinburgh.
Celtic, Rangers, Wolves and a host of European clubs – including two more in Italy – have been liked with the 23-year-old. But there is no guarantee that Hibs will sell during the January window.
Hibs should, meanwhile, complete the signing Sligo Rovers striker Owen Elding for a significant six-figure sum today. The 19-year-old is just waiting for the final paperwork to be concluded, having passed a medical after the clubs agreed terms on a transfer.
Elding could be joined at Easter Road by attacking midfielder Kai Andrews, with Hibs keen to complete a loan deal for the Coventry City youngster – another teenager – before Monday’s transfer deadline. The Wales international, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Motherwell, is definitely a target for the Edinburgh side, with Hibs expecting to do more business between now and the 11 pm shut-down.
Elding was named Sligo’s Player of the Year last season, as well as picking up Young Player of the Year honours for the entire League of Ireland Premier Division. His all-action style and strength are considered an ideal fit for Scottish football by senior figures in the recruitment department at Hibs – not least gaffer David Gray.
Hibs are still in the market for at least one more signing, although there are a lot of moving parts. All of which makes Gray confident that he’ll be working late on Deadline Day.
“I expect so. I expect us to be working as hard as we always are to make sure we try the window as strong as you can.
“Things naturally speed up with that domino effect towards the end of the window. And we're always looking to try and improve if we can.
“So I'm pretty sure it will go right to the end, because you always need to be looking while that window's open, that some things can come up. I don't think it's as straightforward as just shutting the doors and going home at any time, I think you need to be ready all the time.”