5.20pm

Reports suggest that we're agreed terms with Oldham Athletic striker Chris Porter.  The 23-year-old is out of contract at Boundary Park and had also attracted interest from Dundee United.  Porter scored 22 goals in England last season for the League One side, who turned down transfer bids from Championship clubs for him.  It seems we will not have to pay any compensation due to the cross-border transfer regulations.  His agent is quoted as saying:
"He has agreed terms in principle with Motherwell and will head back there after the weekend to complete the deal.  Mark McGhee has made a big impression on him. Now Chris has the opportunity to make his mark in the SPL.

"Oldham turned down a substantial bid from a Championship club in January.  They offered Chris a new deal that was unacceptable and had since January to improve on it.  They had other offers in and I think they were waiting for higher bids and were not aware that he could move to Scotland on a free transfer.  I'm sure we'll get criticism thrown at us, but the wages in Scotland are not massive if you are not with Celtic and Rangers and are probably on a par with Division One in England.  The Motherwell option is a really good one as it gives him a chance to play Celtic, Glasgow Rangers, Hibs and Hearts - something he would not get if he moved to the Championship."

Porter will sign a two-year contract on Monday should he successfully complete a medical.

Sounds like an excellent piece of business!

Other transfer news:

• Mark McGhee is trying to sign Celtic's Adam Virgo on loan, having worked with him at Brighton, however his wage demands could prove prohibitive

• McGhee is also believed to be interested in Partick Thistle midfielder Billy Gibson

• McGhee has spoken to his former club Hamburg in a bid to arrange loan deals, although individual players have not been discussed

• There is no truth in the rumour that Ross McCormack is joining Hartlepool

• We've missed out on both John Sutton AND Craig Dargo, with the strikers signing for Wycombe and St Mirren respectively

• Krisztian Vadocz will NOT be returning to Fir Park after the close season

Our pre-season friendly against Livingston on July 18 has been cancelled.  Details of all our friendlies are available from the Official Site.

The new away kit is now available from the Well Shop. 

An interesting article on Gary McAllister is available here.