Rangers transfer news is ramping up, and that has been fuelled after Derek McInnes’ comments on Wednesday night.
After the pre-season win against St. Etienne, the Rangers manager intimated that two players are expected to arrive before the final practice match against West Ham on Sunday with hopes that another will be added by the time the Premiership opener comes around.
“We are looking quite close to completing one or two things,” said the Gers boss.
“I know I said we’d try to get one or two done for tonight. I think we hit the post with one or two, but we’re still close. I certainly think we’ll be at least two in for Sunday’s game and hopefully another one next week for Dundee United.”
Rangers working on Diawara and another defender
Rangers are known to be pursuing Troyes’ Sankoun Diawara, but an update given on Thursday stated that the club is also working to bring in an additional option in that position.
A second new centre-back is required – that’s the reality. One of those profiles will be needed to provide cover for Tuur Rommens at left-back.
The info was provided by Chris Jack of the Rangers Review.
“It’s understood that talks remain live with Diawara but another centre-back target is also currently being pursued simultaneously.”
That is encouraging.
Rangers transfer news ongoing – lots to do
It’s clear from the St. Etienne game that the balance and make-up of the Rangers squad isn’t there yet.
McInnes acknowledged the team is short at the back and sorely lacking options – and quality – out wide.
Seeing Mo Diomande and Tochi Chukwuani occupy the wide berths for the second half last night spoke volumes! Hopefully that is a one-off, even if it was more of a box midfield that was deployed to regain control.
The Rangers Review info is further evidence that the work is ongoing. Lots is happening with talks and dialogue over several players being conducted at present.
The right-wing position is a problem. Diomande may be doing a job, but it’s a square peg in a round hole.
Brighton’s Amario Cozier-Duberry is on the wishlist at Ibrox, but he’s a man in demand.
Rangers will need to pay big money to land the player who impressed on loan as Bolton were promoted to the Championship after Wembley playoff glory.
Then there are the required departures at Ibrox.
That’s a mammoth task with a minimum of right to be offloaded.
Nico Raskin will be a headline sale, while Danilo is on the verge of a loan exit to Botafogo in his native Brazil and John Souttar is braced for a move to England.
That should be just the start of the outgoings.
