Bolton Wanderers are set to sign David Watson on freedom of contract, with the Scottish teenager's next move now closing in after Aberdeen had already offered him the chance to join Pittodrie. Kilmarnock, meanwhile, rejected a six-figure bid for Watson in January and have now seen another of their emerging talents move toward the exit.
The interest around Watson is only the latest sign that business is already moving fast even though the transfer window in Scotland has not yet opened. Ante Palaversa is drawing attention from teams in Croatia, Belgium and South Korea this week, while clubs at home are also working through a summer of change. Kilmarnock have already confirmed the departure of Marley Watkins, and Kelle Roos has gone back to his parent club after a short loan spell at Rugby Park.
Watson's case has been building for months. Aberdeen's offer gave him another route, but Kilmarnock held firm in January when a six-figure bid arrived, believing they could keep him longer. That decision has not prevented a move now, and Bolton appear to have won the race for his signature as he comes available on freedom of contract. It is a familiar pattern in Scottish football: clubs can protect an asset during one window, then watch the market shift before the next one even opens.
The wider picture is just as busy. Graeme Shinnie left Aberdeen to return to Inverness in search of more regular game time, and Aberdeen are in the middle of a rebuild after confirming summer releases. Hearts have also seen major turnover, with Lawrence Shankland moving from Hearts to Rangers after a lengthy pursuit, Beni Baningime departing and Paul Gallacher leaving Tynecastle after 10 years. Gordon Marshall is expected to take over as Hearts goalkeeping coach, while Derek McInnes is now likely to move from St Johnstone to Hearts after previously working with Marshall at Aberdeen.
For Kilmarnock, the loss of Watson would add to a summer that already includes Watkins and Roos moving on, and it underlines how quickly the balance can change for a side that had hoped a strong hold on its young players would buy more time. For Aberdeen and Hearts, the same window is shaping up as a reset, with recruitment, staffing and contract decisions all landing at once. Watson's next step may be the cleanest sign yet that the market has already started, even if the calendar has not caught up.
