THE January transfer window at last served up a seven-figure deal involving a Scottish club after Hearts captain Christophe Berra yesterday agreed to join Wolverhampton Wanderers in a move worth around £2.5m.
But the prospects of a capital double receded after Celtic made no moves to increase their £2m bid for Hibernian striker Steven Fletcher, the Easter Road club throwing out this verbal offer on Friday night as way short of their believed £4m valuation
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With Rangers thus far attracting no new bid for any of their players following Kris Boyd's rejection of Birmingham City, Berra's move to Molineux could be the most lucrative in the SPL.
The 24-year-old central defender travelled south yesterday for a medical and agreed terms on a three-and-a-half year deal with the English Championship league leaders that will double his current wage. It brings to an end the pursuit of the Scottish internationalist by Wolves manager Mick McCarthy that began when they lodged a £1.5m bid last summer. Hearts are believed to have already identified an inexpensive replacement for Berra as they look to reduce the wage bill.
"I have a candidate (to replace Berra] and if the club get this player, I will be very happy," said Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo, who is also interested in a German striker playing in Spain.
Hearts will also have to deal with interest in their winger Andrew Driver, who has attracted a £1m bid from Coventry.
The £2m Celtic were willing to invest in Fletcher, meanwhile, is the first time they have seriously shown their hand. On-loan Dundee United midfielder Willo Flood signed for a nominal fee from Cardiff City while the Scottish champions preferred loan deals as they sought to tie up Manchester City striker Ched Evans and West Brom left back Marek Cech in moves that seem to have stalled.
"We have money to spend and a willingness to invest in new players but there is a frustration over availability," said a Celtic insider yesterday, who could shed no light on a report that Newcastle are prepared to pay £800,000 for Celtic full-back Lee Naylor. "We will continue to seek to strengthen our squad right up till the Monday tea-time deadline."
In other business, Dundee United are keen to bring in Celtic's Paul Caddis on loan, believed to have been offered on loan to Hibs as part of the Fletcher deal. Meanwhile, sources at Nottingham Forest are convinced they will succeed in a £200,000 move for Hibs captain Rob Jones.
