Hibs transfer rumours

Rumours, rumours, rumours. So far in the silly season Hibs have been linked with several players with reportedly more by passing them on the way out.

The in’s include Don Cowie, Annti Niemi, Adam Hammil, Derek Riordan and even Jari Litmanen.

Exiting Easter Road are supposedly Steven Fletcher, Thierry Gatheussi, Brian Kerr, Yves Makalamby, Merouanne Zemmama and his Moroccan counterpart Abdessallam Benjelloun.

If any of the ‘in’s’ do arrive to join David Van Zanten in Mixu Paatelainen’s squad It would be pretty surprising.

Cowie, while being a decent player with Inverness has never really set the heather on fire and is not one who whets the appetite.

The signing of Niemi would be a masterstroke but is almost certainly not going to happen with Ipswich and Hull currently targeting the keeper who is still held in high regard at Hearts. Not only is the SPL likely to be unappealing to the Finn but the wage structure at Easter Road will ensure he remains down south.

Liverpool reserve Hammil is one which may come off having previously experienced the Scottish top flight when on loan with Dunfermline two years ago and another loan deal could be struck following a less than impressive stint with Championship side Southampton.

Derek Riordan seems forever linked with a return to Hibs but simply, it’s not going to happen. End of story.

The rumours of Finnish legend Jari Litmanen arriving in a player/coach role have been gathering pace although as yet is still un-substantiated and as such should be treated as nonsense. Undoubtedly he would bring something to the club but it seems pie in the sky again due to likely wage demands.

Of the players supposedly leaving only Fletcher and Zemmama have shown anything worthy of holding down a first team role this season and if press reports of Benji going to Anderlecht are true then we shouldn’t stand in his way, particularly if a transfer fee is offered.

Gatheussi and Kerr have been grossly disappointing this season with the former having cost Hibs points with ill advised challenges in matches against both Dundee United and Aberdeen towards the end of the season.

Makalamby could prove to be a decent keeper but question marks remain over his demeanour, technique and concentration. Hopefully his spell away with the Belgian Olympic squad can improve him further.

If £3million is offered for Fletch Hibs will surely cash in on the 21 year old and if additional payments for future transfers and International appearances can be built in then even better.

With the Inter-Toto clash with Elfsborg only a month away any new signings will have little time to embed themselves into the dressing room unless they start arriving soon.