Rangers must take chance on £8.7m Haji Wright as transfer news emerge
Antalyaspor have rejected a £7m Rangers offer for striker Haji Wright, and are instead demanding an offer of €10m (£8.7m), according to journalist Salim Manav.
The 25-year-old American international has enjoyed a superb campaign in the Turkish Super Lig, registering 15 goals and two assists from 25 appearances, leading to interest from Premier League sides [Daily Mail, 8 May].
According to Ajansspor and Radyospor journalist Manav, taking to his personal Twitter account on 10 May, Rangers submitted a £7m offer for Wright’s services – a deal including a “15 per cent share” from any potential future sale.
However, the Turkish side rejected the offer, asking for a small increase of €10m (£8.7m).
Manav tweeted: “Rangers made a transfer offer for Haji Wright to Antalyaspor in the form of £7 million plus a 15 per cent share from the second sale.
“Antalyaspor did not accept Rangers’ offer.
“The testimonial expectation for Haji Wright is over 10 million Euros.”
It’s no secret that the Gers will be desperately on the prowl for a game-changing number nine this summer, with Alfredo Morelos set to depart Ibrox this summer, and Antonio Colak’s future looking rather uncertain.
In order to properly challenge Celtic next season, Michael Beale will need a major overhaul of his squad, building the team into his image and at the forefront of his plans is the addition of a striker.
And signing a player of Wright’s abilities looks an attractive proposition for Rangers, even though there may be doubts about his capabilities to cut it at the top level both domestically and in Europe which the Gers will be participating in next season.
More crucially though, it’s uncertain what kind of funds Beale will be allowed to spend in order to overhaul his squad which means £8.7m may prove too steep.
There have been plenty of calls for the Gers to secure the permanent transfer of £5m Malik Tillman this summer, but others have argued that figure may potentially take up most of Beale’s budget.
However, desperate times call for desperate measures and Wright seems the perfect prime target for Rangers to go for this summer.
The 25-year-old has undergone a super season in the Turkish top-flight, registering 15 goals and two assists so far this season, more than Morelos’ 11-goal tally this season and Colak’s 13, so imagine what Wright could achieve under Beale’s expansive and progressive system.
Also, Wright is still yet to reach his prime years meaning he still holds so much room to improve even further both at club level and on the international stage, making him an exciting project to nurture at Ibrox.
With proven goalscorers a rare commodity right now, this £8.7m may prove tempting for Beale.
In other Rangers news, an out-of-court settlement has been predicted after the latest legal news developing at Ibrox in recent weeks