Anthony Onifade

Sat 3 June 2023 19:40, UK

Spanish giants Villarreal have had an £8.7m bid for Antalyaspor forward Haji Wright rejected and should they return to the table, Rangers may well be unable to compete.

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].

Rangers are desperately on the prowl for a new striker this summer following the departure of Alfredo Morelos, and Wright has emerged as a potential candidate, but latest developments may suggest this move could be a step too to complete at Ibrox.

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), but Spanish La Liga outfit Villarreal have since returned to the table with the exact asking price only for it to be rejected, according to BBO Sports [2 June].

“Villarreal has offered Antalyaspor 10 million euros (£8.7m) for Haji Wright, and Glasgow Rangers 7 million pounds,” they wrote.

“Antalyaspor did not accept the offers.”

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 certainly the addition of a striker.

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-plus may prove too steep.

Villarreal have just seen their bid for the Rangers target rejected, and given their own desire to sign a top-level forward this summer, the Yellow Submarine are certainly likely to return to the table.

And that may push Rangers away from the potential bidding war, given their transfer budget and priorities elsewhere.

The reported €10m asking price would make Haji the Gers’ second most expensive signing of all time, behind only Tore Andre Flo and he may well have possessed the kind of character and qualities to become Beale’s answer to Morelos.

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.

However, given his potential price tag and the attractive pull of La Liga football to contend with, Rangers may very well lose out on signing a stunning striker opportunity this summer.

In other Rangers news, this midfielder “will join” the club before the start of the 2023/24 season.