Philippe Clement has started admitting what Rangers fans have known all along on the transfer front.
With Rangers players out of contract, yet more domestic failure, and an ageing senior group of whom relentless questions are being asked, change is very much on the horizon.
Whatever way we try and butter it up, as Philippe Clement says himself we’re in for ‘quite a rebuild’.
As Celtic close in on a third straight Scottish Premiership title, that Scottish Cup Final clash with our Old Firm rivals looms large come the end of May.
But the moment the ribbons are tied on that trophy attentions will quickly turn to who the Rangers manager has in mind when it comes to this summer transfer window’s squad overhaul.
There have been plenty of names linked already – 12 by our last count – and here we look at how these names are progressing ahead of what promises to be another busy window at Ibrox.
Rangers goalkeeper staying put?
Starting between the sticks, according to Philippe Clement star goalkeeper Jack Butland is currently indispensable to his Rangers squad.
And as such, it makes those links to Standard Liege’s Belgian stopper Arnaud Bodart all the weirder.
Rangers are said to be the front runners in the hunt for the goalie, who has also been linked to Old Firm rivals Celtic.
Clement effectively ended reported £3.4m interest in the Bodart with his Butland comments but money talks in football so never say never.
Winds of change through Ibrox defence
Defence is one area of the park subject to much conversation at the moment.
With Rangers once again finding themselves down to the bare bones in terms of centre-backs, Ben Davies and Leon King starting against Dundee, new additions to the backline are essential.
If reports are to be believed we’ve started brightly in this regard, with Rangers in ‘advanced talks’ to sign £3m Jose Cordoba from Levski Sofia.
Whilst one Panamanian journalist has sought to cast some doubt over a move the sounds around a deal for the powerful, left-sided 22-year-old centre-half continue to be positive.
Other potential options include Dion Sanderson – who has just been relegated with Birmingham City – and Paddy McNair – a lifelong bluenose who has just been released by Middlesbrough.
Whilst the links to Sanderson have gone a little cold, Northern Irish international McNair can also play in midfield and the situation with John Lundstram may be of interest here.
It’s not just at the heart of the defence either.
With Borna Barisic set to leave the club, Brazilian option Jefte Vital continues to be linked but loan side APOEL won’t lose the Fluminense left-back without a fight.
West Ham right Ben Johnson has also been linked, but with a move to Crystal Palace touted amid high wage demands, a deal has never looked likely.
Winger transfer a Rangers priority?
Out wide is an area where Rangers have been found wanting all season with the club in desperate need of getting more returns from this area of the squad.
There have been transfer links aplenty already, with the club said to be on the ‘right track’ to striking a loan extension for injured RC Lens winger Oscar Cortes.
Another name who has been strongly linked with Rangers is A-League winger Raphael Borges Rodrigues.
Currently turning out for Macarthur in Australia, the Socceroos talent is reportedly a player in demand with the likes of Coventry City also mentioned.
Only 20-years-old, Rodrigues’ agent has tipped the player to move to Europe this summer and it’s one to watch for Rangers fans as their team target more emerging markets.
Then there is Orlando Pirates talent Relebohile Mofokeng who can play on either wing or as an attacking midfielder.
Only 19 and just off the back of a trial with Premier League Wolves, Rangers are reportedly keeping tabs but so far there is nothing concrete regarding Ibrox interest.
Striker hunt continues
Last but certainly by no means least is the attack, where reports of Rangers transfer interest has been a little more tight-lipped.
Abdallah Sima – on loan from Brighton this season – probably tops the club’s summer wish list and with Brighton open to a sale, a deal could be done this summer.
But as is always the case any transfer will depend on finances with Brighton paying close to £6m and, quite possibly, expecting the same or even more in return.
Then there is Lawrence Shankland.
The PFA Scotland Player of the Year has scored 28 goals for Hearts and is surely bound for Euro 2024 with Scotland this summer.
Rangers are always mentioned alongside the bluenose forward and as Shankland enters the final year of his Hearts contract, the striker is open to a Tynecastle exit.
Whether that means Rangers will pounce remains to be seen with many believing a failure to sign the striker might’ve cost the Ibrox side a Champions League fortune.
Another name that has been mentioned is young Stoke City talent Sol Sidibe.
Reports this week have suggested that Rangers are one of a number of clubs tailing the 17-year-old, but face competition from the likes of AC Milan.
