The transfer window hasn’t even officially opened yet and already Rangers have been busy and had their name mentioned in some eyebrow raising deals.
The biggest has been Kalvin Phillips reported as being a target for Nils Koppen and Philippe Clement with a potential loan deal being considered.
A 31-cap England international, still playing in the Premier League at 28-years old and with a £45m price tag seems a bit out of Rangers range and there has been an update on just how much Man City are wanting for their out of favour midfielder.
Rangers find out Kalvin Phillips asking price
Phillips, on paper, is exactly what Rangers are looking for.
John Lundstram and Ryan Jack are out of contract and a player capable of protecting the defence and building attacks will be near the top of Clement’s shopping list as he looks to rebuild his squad.
Working on a budget, a player on £150,000 a week is going to be a stretch though.
With four years left of his contract at Man City, Philipps isn’t going to be cheap for whoever of the long list of potential suitors takes him.
According to Spanish outlet Diario Sport, his price tag has been set at £25m.
More than double what Rangers paid for Tore Andre Flo and more than any manager’s annual transfer budget since Dick Advocaat was the Rangers boss.
Rangers have been creative in recent seasons with deals for Jermain Defoe and Aaron Ramsey, but this one looks like a non-starter from the beginning for one main reason aside from the cost.
Rangers have a new transfer plan under Nils Koppen
Every player that Koppen and Clement have been linked with so far have been of a similar profile.
Young, energetic, athletic and in a league where exorbitant transfer fees and salaries aren’t the norm.
There is nowhere more inflated than England in the football world and even a loan fee for Kalvin Phillips would be on a par with what Rangers are said to be paying for Mohamed Diomande or Adama Traore.
Football has changed dramatically in the last 10 years to the extent that there are Championship clubs in England paying £70,000 a week and more for players – double Rangers top earners.
Man City will have plenty of offers for Phillips so, playing in the SPFL is likely to be miles from the top of his list of preferred destinations.
