It’s been clear throughout the summer so far that Rangers are looking to bolster their striker options ahead of next season.
Last campaign, Rangers were caught decidedly short as injuries to Abdallah Sima, Danilo, Kemar Roofe and even young Zak Lovelace heaped the pressure on Cyriel Dessers.
The Ibrox number 9 – for his all his faults last season – shouldered the responsibility with dignity and in the process won the respect of Rangers supporters.
But Gers manager Philippe Clement knows the club cannot afford a repeat of this situation again this season and the Ibrox side’s striker hunt continues.
Now, after Rangers were warned to up their bid or forget it, Kosovan hitman Albion Rrahmani has broken his silence regarding his future with Rapid Bucharest.
Rrahmani ‘focused’ on Rapid
Rangers have been linked with a move for Albion Rrahmani pretty much since the transfer window opened.
The 23-year-old striker has an electric first season in Bucharest with Rapid, netting 19 goals and courting interest from the likes of Aston Villa, Benfica and even Napoli.
But it has been Rangers who have been most closely linked with a summer transfer, although comments from the Romanian club’s president has suggested Rapid are in no mood to sell on the cheap.
Rangers fans have been watching the situation closely with Rapid demanding up to €8m (£6.75m) for their star striker.
Now, Albion Rrahmani has been speaking about his future for the first time as he prepares to join up with the Rapid squad ahead of pre-season training and it certainly appears like he’s in no rush to move.
In fact, the striker has even suggested that after talking with new Rapid manager Neil Lennon – yes, that Neil Lennon – he only has Rapid on his mind.
“I am ready, we want to give our best in the training camp,” said Rrahmani as quoted by Digi Sport.
“I didn’t have a very long vacation, but I relaxed. I feel very good physically. I had a good first interaction with Neil Lennon.
“We have high expectations from next season, we have a good team. If we don’t have any more bad luck, I think we can win a trophy.
“I’m still here, I want to prepare, my focus is on Rapid. I’m not disappointed that I haven’t left yet, I’m a professional and I give 100% wherever I am.”
Rangers transfer ‘fell through’
Speaking specifically about the move to Rangers, the report quotes Rrahmani as saying the transfer ‘fell through’.
In interesting comments, the striker appears to keep the door open to a switch to Rangers with the transfer window still open for another two months.
Sounding very relaxed about the entire thing, Rrahmani claims it will take a ‘favourable offer’ to tempt Rapid into selling and until such a time, he’ll be going nowhere.
“The top scorer title is a goal, but the main one remains winning a trophy with Rapid,” said Rrahmani.
“Last season was disappointing, but I had a lot to learn. We were unlucky, I hope we won’t be again next season.
“The transfer window is open until September 1st, I don’t know what will happen. If there will be a favorable offer for the club and for me, we will sit down to discuss.”
Albion Rrahmani isn’t the only striker being strongly linked with a summer move to Rangers.
The Ibrox side are reportedly set to give their backing to Moroccan striker talent Hamza Igamane in a major statement of Rangers intent.
