Rangers’ approach to the transfer market the early days of the Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen era has seen the Ibrox outfit cast their sights further than ever before in pursuit of bargains.
So far, since the turn of the year, Rangers have brought in players based in France, Denmark and Italy, with another – Jefte Vital – arriving from Brazil after a loan spell in Cyprus. They held talks with the Bulgarian-based Jose Cordoba, a Kosovan striker plying his trade in Romania in Albion Rrahmani, as well as a pair of South American talents; Uruguayan Damian Garcia and Chilean Thomas Galdames.
That does not mean, however, that Rangers are ignoring the domestic market.
The Premiership runners-up are still keeping a watchful eye on those closer to home, as emphasised by their continued interest in Scotland international striker Tommy Conway. Rangers are on ‘red alert’, the Bristol Post say, with Conway reluctant to extend his contract.
At least Bristol City can still earn a pretty penny, Conway’s deal running for another 12 months.
Aberdeen have no such luxury. Connor Barron will become a free-agent in just over a fortnight’s time. The Dons would, at least, earn a compensation fee in the region of £500,000 if he follows Lewis Ferguson, Aaron Hickey and Josh Doig to Italy with Cagliari interested.
Rangers lead race for Aberdeen starlet Connor Barron
Seven years after losing captain Ryan Jack to Rangers, however, Aberdeen would be loathe to lose their prized asset to a local rival. The Scottish Sun believe that there is a very real chance Barron could follow in Jack’s footsteps, the former potentially replacing the latter as he says his goodbyes.
The Scottish Sun add that Barron, who very nearly made Scotland’s Euro 2024 squad, is on holiday in Portugal. But he would be willing to return to the UK for medical tests and talks if discussions open up with Rangers at the front of the queue and ready to take things up a notch.
21-year-old Barron, an all-action central midfielder, played over 40 games for Aberdeen last season. Former Rangers captain Lewis Ferguson – still disappointed that the Gers did not do more to sign his nephew Lewis – feels that Barron is the sort of bargain the Ibrox giants cannot afford to miss out on.
“Connor Barron is another (Rangers should consider),” Ferguson tells the Daily Record. “When I have watched him play for Aberdeen or Scotland U21s, I have liked what I’ve seen. He would be available this summer on a compensation fee.
“What a snip.”
Contract at Aberdeen expires in July
Rangers need at least one new midfielder with John Lundstram following Jack out the door.
“Connor is very impressive on and off the pitch the way he conducts himself,” Scotland Under 21 coach Scott Gemmill told BBC Sport in 2023.
“Connor played for us when we played Belgium in Belgium. He was excellent and playing against a player that I believe signed for a club in the Bundesliga for around 10 million euros (Wolfsburg’s Aster Vranckx).
“These are the opportunities where our young players can go face-to-face with the very best in Europe. Connor has shown in his performances for the U21s that he can do that, and I give him big credit for that.”
