Motherwell receive 'concrete' transfer offers from top Euro leagues for ace amid Rangers + Celtic speculation

Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell has confirmed interest in striker Theo Bair.

The forward has been linked with moves away from the Premiership side after a stunning first term in ML1. He defied doubters following a tough spell at St Johnstone to score 15 times with six assists, and he is attracting attention. Clubs in the Bundesliga have been mooted as have sides down south, while Rangers and Celtic rumours have emerged this week.

Bair is currently with Canada at Copa America. Speaking from Motherwell’s Dutch training camp, with a friendly to come against FC Twente on Friday, Kettlewell has stated it would take a major move to make them consider parting with the forward.

He said: "There's been plenty of interest. I will be brutally honest, there's been lots of interest, concrete interest. We are in constant contact with big Theo as are his teammates and many of the staff. He finds himself at Copa America with Canada and a brilliant experience for him getting back into the national team.

“I don't look at it any other way in that he is a Motherwell player. He has another year on his contract, we love working with him. We'd love that to continue but we go back to the model sometimes, that situation is sometimes out of your control.

“If someone offers big money and I mean big money for anybody within your group at a club like Motherwell, it is always going to have to be something we consider. We don't cry about it either. I fielded so many questions about replacing Kevin van Veen, we did that pretty well being the third top goalscorers in the league last season.

“If that becomes a situation again, there will be nobody happier for the likes of Theo if it was something that he thought took him to the next stage of his career, as I have loved working with the lad. I really like him as a person. He is still very much ours until somebody puts something in front of us we can't refuse.

“There's been bids. I did say this publicly, there had been a couple of concrete bids from clubs in two of Europe's top five divisions. I won't specify the clubs or countries. I did say it before and I am fine to say it again.

“The whole business plan and point of this is that we bring in players such as Theo Bair to try and develop them in the fashion he has done, to catch the attention of clubs with deep pockets and plenty of cash. That is how the world works and the wheel keeps turning for a club like Motherwell. The club have been doing that a long time before I came here and that has been a continuation in the last 18 months. That is where we find ourselves at this minute in time. We are all pretty comfortable with where the situation sits just now."

Kettlewell also confirmed there had been no Scottish-based bids for Bair. Meanwhile, the boss has also opened up on his plans for Aston Oxborough and the goalkeeper department at Motherwell.

The former Norwich City youngster has been at the club since 2022 but his minutes have been restricted with Liam Kelly ahead of him. Now the Scotland international has left, a number one vacancy has opened up. Kettlewell will move for another goalkeeper but he is high in his praise of the man who has served as deputy.

He said: “We’ve been working hard on that side of things. Everybody will see we need to bring another senior goalkeeper to the group. We knew we would be looking for a goalkeeper but it was never about jumping at the first opportunity.

“It’s given us an opportunity to look at a couple of goalkeepers as well. We’ve had one or two with us since the start of pre-season we have been able to have a look at as well. It’s not been an issue for us at all, it will be resolved to a point in the not so distant future.

“Aston trains to an unbelievable standard every day. He is a completely different personality to what Liam was. But he is 6ft 6in and a very good goalkeeper. He fills the goals, takes crosses very well and is an excellent shot stopper.

“What he doesn’t have is the match experience. But if something had happened to Liam at any stage then I wouldn’t have panicked. I’ve always been certain Aston can go in and play to a real high standard.

“He knows that but he also knows he needs to maximise the opportunity. He need to make sure he is the best goalkeeper at the club. I am looking to have the two best goalkeepers I can have here. I’m looking to bring in another keeper that’s no secret. But it will be a fair fight. Aston has shown me plenty not just i the last few weeks but in the last 18 months.”