The transfer window doesn’t officially open until the 14th of June but that hasn’t stopped Rangers ramping up their early business.
After a season which promised so little, and then so much, ended in bitter disappointment, changes are very much in the offing at Ibrox.
Rangers fans have endured this particular team’s meek resistance in the face of Celtic’s dominance for the final time with patience running out for a squad in dire need of major surgery.
Assisting Philippe Clement in prepping the Rangers recruitment theatre for this summer’s energy-sapping Ibrox operation is countryman Nils Koppen.
Between the Belgian duo and the Rangers Board, this is a transfer window we have to execute with surgical precision.
It’s been a bright start so far and here’s the latest news with regards incomings, and outgoings, at Ibrox this summer.
Eight names in Rangers transfer hunt
We can start with somewhat positive news on the Rangers transfer front.
Brazilian left-back Jefte, a 20-year-old league winner with APOEL in Cyprus last season, has already been officially unveiled as a Rangers player.
The Fluminense youth product was a target in January and goes into the squad to rival Ridvan Yilmaz for the traditional number 3 jersey next season.
Rangers are also said to be close on another two signings.
Panamanian centre-back Jose Cordoba looks all set to sign on at Rangers this week.
The latest reports suggest a medical is imminent ahead of a £2m rising to £3.2m switch from Levski Sofia.
There is also former Rangers academy goalkeeper Liam Kelly, who looks all set to join Rangers as backup to Jack Butland next season.
Beyond the immediate incomings, Rangers are believed to be pursuing extensions for loan forwards Abdallah Sima and Oscar Cortes.
Sima has suggested he will doing everything he can to stay at Rangers beyond the summer whilst Oscar Cortes was snapped at the Rangers Training Centre stepping up his pre-season recovery.
Other names who have been closely mentioned including Adama Traore, with reports in Africa claiming the Ferencvaros winger is in ‘advanced’ discussions with the Gers.
The 28-year-old Malian international is something of a Champions League qualification specialist and a league winner in Hungary.
The other names who’ve been prominently linked are Orlando Pirates talent Relebohile Mofokeng and Rapid Bucharest striker Albion Rrahmani.
There’s nothing new to report on either player at the time of writing but no news could just as likely be good news when it comes to the summer transfer window.
Five out Ibrox door with more to follow?
Now for the outgoings and the management of the current squad.
It’s been well-documented that Rangers have a number of players out of contract and as things stand, only one looks set to be offered a new deal.
Reports have surfaced claiming that Leon Balogun has agreed another year at Rangers, taking the Nigerian into his 36th birthday at Ibrox.
Rangers duo Borna Barisic and John Lundstram have been lined up for moves to Trabzonspor, whilst Kemar Roofe said his goodbyes weeks ago.
Leading Rangers insiders Heart & Hand insist that it will take a sizeable change of heart for the club to offer Ryan Jack a new deal.
Jon McLaughlin is also nailed on to leave.
As for the other players in the squad, there has been no sizeable change with regards those Saudi Arabian links to leadership pair James Tavernier and Connor Goldson.
Philippe Clement also has several players in his squad who are too injury prone, have not contributed enough or who have fluffed their lines for a final time in the eyes of the support.
All eyes are on the likes of Tom Lawrence, Ben Davies, Ridvan Yilmaz, Scott Wright and Rabbi Matondo this summer with these names all regrettably underachieving in Glasgow to date.
There are also decisions to be taken on the resurgent Sam Lammers and the likes of Ianis Hagi and Jose Cifuentes, who are all out on loan from the club at present.
Robby McCrorie is also being linked with a move out of Rangers, the Ibrox goalkeeper tipped to follow brother Ross and move to Aberdeen.
The transfer would theoretically pave the way for Liam Kelly to join the club as back-up to Jack Butland.
