Anthony Onifade

Thu 13 July 2023 22:20, UK

Rangers striker Antonio Colak is in talks ahead of a proposed move to Italy and his departure could well open the door for Beale to secure his seventh summer signing in Danilo.

The 29-year-old, only moved to Ibrox last summer in a £2.5million deal from PAOK Salonika, scoring 18 goals from his 39 games in all competitions last season before injuries in the second half of the campaign hampered his progress.

The Scottish Sun reported on 9 July that Beale is set to sacrifice the hitman as he continues his squad revamp and German outfit Werder Bremen reportedly lead the race for his signature.

However, Tuttomercatoweb (13 July) has now reported that Italian outfit Parma have reached an agreement in principle with Rangers to sign Colak in a deal worth around €2million (£1.7m) which could hand Beale the green light to secure his replacement in Feyenoord striker Danilo.

The Gers have been impressive and efficient in their recruitment so far after announcing Nigerian striker Cyriel Dessers as their sixth summer signing from Cremonese for an undisclosed fee, signing a four-year deal at Ibrox.

The former Feyenoord man now follows Abdallah Simah, Sam Lammers, Jack Butland, Dujon Sterling and Kieran Dowell through the Ibrox doors this summer, but it is now clear that Michael Beale isn’t stopping there as he looks to significantly rebuild his squad ahead of the new season.

Beale is certainly proving successful in his attempts to build Rangers into his own image at Ibrox, however, the former QPR boss has been hit with red tape by Bennett and other club chiefs if he is to get at least two of those aforementioned names through the Auchenhowie doors.

The Scottish Sun also reported on 9 July that Beale has to sell three big-name players this summer if he is to further fund his Ibrox revolution this summer, with chairman John Bennett clearly putting his foot down to ensure the Gers manage to balance the books financially.

While the Light Blues have been incredibly busy with six additions, they’ve struggled to offload a number of their bit-part stars including Colak, Glen Kamara and Rabbi Matondo, with young goalkeeper Robbie McCrorie also now expected to depart too in a potential £500,000 deal (Chris Jack, 13 July).

That will be two names out of the Ibrox doors in the coming days, which in turn hands Beale the chance to secure one of his top striker signings this summer, after the club chief’s demands.

Football Scotland reported on 12 July that Feyenoord are expecting Rangers to make a new bid for Danilo who has had his head turned by the chance to be the “main man” at Ibrox, and the Brazilian represents a stunning acquisition in Colak’s place given his tremendous all-round qualities which the Croatian severely lacked despite his 18 goals last season.

Danilo impressed for the Dutch side last season scoring ten league goals and his qualities in the attacking sense are quite clear, recording three assists, averaging 0.2 assists per 90 in the past year, placing him in the 87th percentile, when compared to his positional peers in Europe’s top-eight leagues.

The Brazilian is also tremendously creative and efficient out of possession, as evidenced by his ranking in the top 18% of forwards across the continent for shot-creating actions per 90, and ranking in the 97th percentile for interceptions highlighting that he isn’t only influential when scoring and creating but also defending from the front – characteristics Beale absolutely adores from his front men.

Danilo has certainly made his intentions clear about a move to Ibrox, and the pleasing Colak development over the past few days could now open the door for Beale and Rangers to make their move.

In other Rangers news, an “incredible professional” appears to be on the way out of the club, opening the door for this latest offer.