Michael Beale closes in on Danilo transfer as James Bisgrove leads Rangers talks this week
Rangers are getting closer to completing a deal to bring Feyenoord forward, Danilo, to Ibrox this summer according to a report in the Daily Record, with Chief Executive James Bisgrove leading negotiations.
The 24-year-old forward, linked by reporter Keith Jackson on 16 July is one of Michael Beale’s top transfer targets this summer, having impressed with ten goals and three assists as Feyenoord won the Eredivisie last season.
So far the two clubs haven’t been able to agree on a fee for the Brazilian forward, with the Dutch giants hoping to pocket at least £6m, as their return to the Champions League provides a stumbling block.
Jackson wrote about the new red tape surrounding the deal: “Talks have become even more complex as Feyenoord boss Arne Slot is desperate to beef up his own attacking options ahead of the club’s return to European football’s elite.
“Slot’s current first-choice striker, Mexican international Santiago Giminez, will be suspended for the opening two group games – a ban which has left the manager scrambling for cover and reluctant to let Danilo leave until he gets it.”
Goals guaranteed
Last season, Rangers’ hubris was their lack of goals as they fell well short of Old Firm rivals, Celtic, in front of goal.
The signings of Sam Lammers and Cyriel Dessers from Atalanta and Cremonese respectively have shown Beale’s intent to generate more goals from his strike force and the signing of Danilo only reinforces that desire.
Danilo’s 10 strikes in the league last season came in only 14 starts, with much of his football since the World Cup break being played from the bench.
However, it is noticeable that only two of his league goals came in the second half of the campaign, both in one win over FC Emmen in May.
Neither of Rangers’ other forward signings have been particularly prolific last season and if they hope to catch up to Celtic this season, they need guaranteed goals.
But for a fee reported to be in the region of £6m, there is enough to suggest that Danilo is worth the gamble, bringing with him not only a good goal-scoring record but European experience as well.
In other Rangers news, Ianis Hagi has reacted to the latest exit news coming from Ibrox