Rangers target Andreas Skov Olsen may not leave says Sinisa Mihajlovic
Rangers transfer target Andreas Skov Olsen may not be on the way to Club Brugge, as his manager has suggested he remains in his first team plans.
Reports had suggested (HLN) the Belgian club were poised to sign the Danish international but Sinisa Mihajlovic has talked up his importance at Bologna.
The Serie A boss told Italian media on Sunday ahead of his side’s clash with Napoli, as quoted by The Daily Record: “Skov Olsen is doing well. He did well in Cagliari too. Sometimes he should be more proactive, despite not playing in his role.
“We have many solutions, so I still don’t know how and who I will play tomorrow, but on Skov I know I can count on two roles.
“I choose the players with the sporting director, but it is always me who decides if there is a need (to sell) and who must be taken, together with the sports director.”
Door still open?
The Athletic had previously reported that while it would be a “major coup” it was unlikely that Rangers would land the winger during this window due to the fee of £7.5million being more than manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst would be able to pay at this stage.
It had looked like Gers chances of signing the player in any capacity were no longer relevant if the 25-year-old was going to make the move to Belgium.
But if Mihajlovic’s words are any indication then perhaps there is still a chance for fans to see him playing at Ibrox if a summer transfer, perhaps with a view to tackling next season’s Champions League, can be agreed.
The finances at the club would likely be more certain come the summer, as while the club-record sale of Nathan Patterson to Everton brought in a reported £11.5million plus add-ons (BBC), it is thought most of that is not currently available for the manager to use in the transfer market.
The budget restraints caused by Covid-19 are still being felt and the only addition to the squad during the January window so far has been James Sands from New York City FC.
The fact that the deal is an 18-month loan with an option to buy, that much further away from the pandemic squeeze, might explain why a large bid has not been forthcoming for Skov Olsen.
On the other hand, if he does feature more heavily in Italy than he has so far, his price may go up, so movements will have to be followed closely to assess the likelihood of his arrival in Glasgow.
In other Rangers news, this first team player could be sold before January 31st.