Jens Hjerto-Dahl to Rangers is one of the longest-running transfer stories of the Ibrox club’s summer, and as of 14 July 2026 it still isn’t resolved. Here’s the full picture on the fee Tromso want, who else is chasing the Norway U21 midfielder, and what he’s said himself about a move to Scotland.
Rangers have already had one bid rejected and now face competition from Turkey as they try to get a deal for the 20-year-old over the line before the transfer window narrows. This page rounds up the confirmed contract and fee details, the player’s own words, and where the saga stands.
Who is Jens Hjerto-Dahl?
Jens Hjertø-Dahl is a Norwegian midfielder, born 31 October 2005, who has been at Tromso’s youth setup since the age of six. He made his senior debut for the club on 13 May 2023 and scored his first Eliteserien goal — the winner against Rosenborg — in May 2024.
He has represented Norway from under-16 level upwards, captained the country’s under-18s, and has six caps for the Norway U21s, for whom he plays as a composed holding midfielder. At club level for Tromso he is used in a more progressive number eight role, carrying the ball forward and exploiting space in the final third. The CIES Football Observatory named him one of the 100 best players in the world under the age of 20 in September 2024, a marker of how highly his early development is regarded.
How much would Jens Hjerto-Dahl cost?
Rangers’ first move was a £5.3million bid, which Tromso rejected. The Norwegian club have made clear their valuation sits at around £7.5million, with some reporting suggesting the fee could ultimately stretch as high as £8.5million (in the region of €10million) once Tromso’s sell-on and add-on demands are factored in.
That gap between Rangers’ opening offer and Tromso’s asking price is the central obstacle in the deal as things stand. Rangers have been credited with preparing a fresh, improved offer rather than walking away, which suggests the club see the extra outlay as justified for a player still just 20 years old with significant resale value attached.
What is Jens Hjerto-Dahl’s playing style?
Hjerto-Dahl’s game is defined by ball progression rather than defensive work. For Tromso he plays higher up the pitch as a number eight, using his passing range and willingness to carry the ball to break defensive lines and support the front line. For Norway’s U21s, coaches have used him deeper as a number six, where he’s shown he can also dictate tempo from a sitting position — a versatility that appeals to Rangers as they plan for multiple midfield permutations under McInnes.
That dual profile — capable of both progressing play from deep and arriving as a late runner further forward — is a large part of why his valuation has climbed so quickly since being flagged by CIES as one of the most promising Under-20 players in world football in September 2024.
What has Jens Hjerto-Dahl said about a move to Rangers?
Hjerto-Dahl has spoken publicly about the interest without confirming anything is close. Speaking to I Tromso after a 4-0 win over Valerenga, he said: “You have to try to have a relaxed attitude towards it, but take a position on things that become concrete. There are some things that are a bit beyond my control.”
He added: “You have plenty of time. In collaboration with Lars Petter (Andressen, sporting director) and my agent, it is possible to think about it a bit. You can’t put it all away, but I try.” He also acknowledged the volume of speculation, saying: “There are a lot of questions, that’s the only thing people want to talk about. It’s just nice, it’s because people care.”
What has Tromso said?
Tromso sporting director Petter Andressen has confirmed talks have taken place but stressed nothing is close to being finalised. “There have been a few quiet days now, but there have been negotiations over the past week. We’ll see what happens, it could take a while,” he said, before adding: “Several clubs are interested, but a lot has to fall into place for something to happen. If he’s going to move on, it has to be a club Jens wants to go to, and we also have quite high expectations for the price. It’s not certain he’ll leave.”
Which other clubs are interested in Hjerto-Dahl?
Turkish Super Lig interest has emerged as the most pressing competition, with reports suggesting Rangers are moving to get a fresh offer in before a rival from Turkey can hijack the deal. Besiktas have also been credited with interest. Further back, both Brighton and Leeds United were credited with scouting Hjerto-Dahl last summer, though it remains unclear whether that interest is still live heading into this window.
Where would Hjerto-Dahl fit under Derek McInnes?
Unlike the more defensively-focused Ryan Fosso, also a Rangers midfield target this summer, Hjerto-Dahl’s game is built around progressing the ball and arriving in the final third — a profile that would let McInnes play him higher up a midfield three, potentially alongside a more defensive pivot player. His age and CIES pedigree also fit the recruitment approach Rangers have taken this summer of targeting emerging talent with resale value rather than the finished article.
If Rangers land both Fosso and Hjerto-Dahl, the pairing would give McInnes a settled base — one player screening the defence, the other carrying possession into the final third — while leaving the futures of Raskin and Diomande to be decided separately rather than treated as like-for-like replacements.
How does Hjerto-Dahl compare to Rangers’ other midfield targets?
Hjerto-Dahl sits in the middle of Rangers’ three midfield pursuits this summer in terms of both fee and profile. He costs more than the £4.3million Sturm Graz want for the more defensively-focused Ryan Fosso, but comes in well below the eight-figure sum Bologna want for the far more experienced Lewis Ferguson. For Rangers, that positions him as a long-term investment: a 20-year-old with resale value who could grow into a first-team fixture over several seasons, rather than an immediate, the-finished-product signing.
Jens Hjerto-Dahl transfer facts at a glance
| Detail | As it stands (14 July 2026) |
|---|---|
| Current club | Tromso (Eliteserien) |
| Rangers’ rejected bid | £5.3m |
| Tromso’s valuation | £7.5m–£8.5m (up to €10m) |
| Competing interest | Turkish Super Lig clubs, Besiktas |
| Position | Midfielder (No.6 for Norway U21, No.8 for Tromso) |
| Caps | 6 (Norway U21) |
Jens Hjerto-Dahl to Rangers: Facts
Has Rangers had a bid rejected for Jens Hjerto-Dahl? Yes — a £5.3m opening offer was turned down by Tromso, who value him significantly higher.
Does Jens Hjerto-Dahl want to join Rangers? He has not ruled it out and has spoken about the interest, but has stopped short of confirming a preference publicly, saying he is trying to stay relaxed until something concrete emerges.
Who else wants to sign Jens Hjerto-Dahl? Turkish clubs, including reported interest from Besiktas, have emerged as Rangers’ main competition, with Brighton and Leeds United previously linked.
What position does Hjerto-Dahl play? Primarily a central midfielder, used as a progressive No.8 at club level and a deeper No.6 for Norway’s U21s.
This page will be updated as the transfer develops. For more on Rangers’ midfield rebuild this summer, see our coverage of Rangers’ cost confirmation on Hjerto-Dahl, the earlier update on the Tromso links, Derek McInnes on the board’s backing for the rebuild, and our Rangers Transfer Window 2026 Talking Points.
