No one could accuse Rangers of resting on their laurels this summer.
Whether their signings prove to be a success – or whether 2024 is just a repeat of the flawed recruitment drive of 2023 – remains to be seen.
But with that Premiership collapse and that Scottish Cup heartbreak still very much open wounds, the manner in which Rangers have attacked the market – full-blooded and two-footed – should give the supporters some hope that this is a club who, at least off the pitch, know what they are doing.
Rangers wasted little time in tying up that long-awaited deal for Jefte Vital, albeit five months later than initially planned. Oscar Cortes has been rewarded for an impressive if injury-hit loan spell with a second chance at Ibrox.
Clinton Nsiala, meanwhile, was confirmed by the club’s official website on Tuesday. A supposedly ‘huge talent‘ joining on a free transfer from AC Milan in what might yet prove to be quite the coup.
Rangers have made three signings already
“We are excited to add a talented young player in Clinton to the squad,” director Nils Koppen smiles, Rangers reportedly fighting off competition from a host of clubs including Champions League-bound Bundesliga runners-up Stuttgart.
“He joins as an exciting talent who we believe can develop and take his next steps under our manager, Philippe Clement, and his staff.
“We look forward to welcoming Clinton to Glasgow.”
So that’s three done. And signing number four may be on the way too.
Romanian publication Digi Sport say that Rangers are ‘very close’ to adding Albion Rrahmani to their ranks as well.
Now, with all due respect to Jefte and Nsiala – a pair of left-footed defenders who will add youth, energy and depth to Clement’s backline – there’s something a little more exciting about a prolific number nine with a pretty oustanding track record.
There are, perhaps, shades of Antonio Colak in Rrahmani. A wily, two-footed, agile finisher who – if given service – usually comes up with the goods. Albion Rrahmani won the Kosovan Golden Boot at Ballkani in 2023 and then moved onto Rapid Bucharest, scoring 19 goals in what looks likely to be his one and only season in the Romanian capital.
Albion Rrahmani deal ‘very close’
It is no secret that Rrahmani will have new employers in time for next season. Rapid co-owner Vincent Angelescu has already admitted that the 23-year-old has an ’80 per cent’ chance of heading for the exit.
But with interested suitors from around Europe – Sparta Prague have reportedly submitted an offer already – suggestions that Rrahmani is ‘very close’ to taking Rangers’ tally of new signings to four by mid-June feels like another transfer market triumph for Clement, Koppen and co.
Exactly how much Rangers end up paying, however, remains to be seen. Fees between £4 million and £8 million have been floated across various publications, with The Gers obviously hoping that Rapid will demand something closer to the former than the latter.
“Knowing the market and what is happening in the market, I am absolutely convinced that Rrahmani will leave this summer,” Cristian Cernodolea, a well-connected Romanian agent, tells GSP Live.
“I know Rapid has offers on the table. There are many teams that came to see him, important teams, there had their scouts at matches in Bucharest. I’m sure some of them were impressed, I have information on that.
“If I had to estimate, I would say that at this point I’m almost convinced Rapid has between 5 and 6 million on the table for Rrahmani. And I don’t think they will sell him for that amount.
“The club is aiming for somewhere around 7 to 8 million (euros).”
