Whenever a manager takes over at a new club, the natural instinct is to look at players that they might be familiar with, and it was no different when Philippe Clement took over at Rangers.
The Gers boss saw players like Michy Batshuayi linked, however, it was Nils Koppen who did most of the January transfer donkey work targeting a younger, more energetic profile.
One of the names mentioned was 22-year old winger Jarne Steuckers who has just had a successful season with Sint-Truiden and Rangers interest has been clarified by a well-respected Belgian journalist.
Jarne Steuckers to Rangers transfer clarified
Sacha Tovolieri was the reporter who first broke news of Rangers interest in Nicolas Raskin and, with 97,000 followers on X, is considered one of his country’s most informed when it comes to football transfers.
Posting on X, Tovolieri has revealed that Steuckers could be on the move to Clement’s old side Genk, and with a paltry release clause.
The fee required to release the winger from his contract is said to be around the £680,000 mark.
Even for Rangers, that would be cheap.
As a left-footed, right winger, Steuckers has exactly the sort of profile that Rangers need.
With only seven goals and seven assists though, there is an easy comparision to make with Rabbi Matondo and Fashion Sakala who, at a similar age, both had better records in the Juniper Pro League.
Responding to the Rangers Journal’s Kai Watson, Tovolieri went one further and detailed whether there was any inclination of the recruitment director bringing the flying machine to Ibrox:
“There’s no current interest from Rangers for Jarne Steuckers. Club know him but he’s not in their list for the summer.”
What is encouraging, is that Steuckers is cheap, available and plays in a position we need, but, despite being aware of him, are looking at other options.
Rangers aren’t just looking for the cheapest option this summer
This can only be a good thing.
He might not have much sell on value, however, Adama Traore could be described in a similar way to Steuckers only he is older and scores more goals.
Traoee has a proven track record though which is why he comes with a much bigger price tag of £3.5m with talks said to be at an ‘advanced stage’.
It is encouraging how many wingers have been linked with Rangers already.
There would be a strong argument for it being the one position that, if you didn’t touch anywhere else in the team, would make the biggest difference next season.
Wingers who score goals and create chances, but it looks like Jarne Steuckers won’t be one of the new faces coming into town.
