Rangers want to sign left-back and striker in January, could swoop for loans
Rangers want to sign a striker and a left-back in the January transfer window and could swoop for loans, with Philippe Clement and Nils Koopen prioritising those positions according to Football Scotland.
Writing on their website (12 December), the news outlet report that the manager is keen to add his own players to his squad after taking over from Michael Beale in October.
And new director of recruitment Koppen could explore the loan market with Rangers insistent they won’t pay over the odds to secure their targets for the second half of the season.
“Rangers are targeting a left-back and a new striker this January as Philippe Clement plans to add to his ranks,” they wrote.
“The Ibrox outfit, Football Scotland understands, hope to add to the two positions as Clement seeks his own players to add to the squad he inherited from Michael Beale.
“That leaves the club short up top and Football Scotland’s sources have intimated that Clement and new director of recruitment Nils Koppen are prioritising those two spaces for now.
“It is believed the club won’t pay over the odds and could even consider loan swoops when the window opens next month.”
Important
It seems pretty clear now that Ridvan Yilmaz doesn’t have a future at Ibrox as a third manager has overlooked him in favour of Borna Barisic, but with the Croatian out of contract in June it’s a position that absolutely needs to be looked at.
As for the striker position it’s an interesting one because Beale spent big on bringing in Cyriel Dessers, Sam Lammers and Danilo in the summer but it hasn’t really worked out for any of them yet.
Danilo has suffered with injuries unfortunately and Dessers has scored but failed to inspire, while Lammers has just flopped completely. A new forward who can be relied upon is certainly needed.
Whether any targets have been identified yet is unknown but it’s good planning that the club are already looking to make their moves and know what positions they want and how they’re willing to get deals done.
January is likely to be a busy month, and the board must give Clement the chance to build on his squad with Celtic and a title charge now firmly back in sight.
In other Rangers news, first-team trio surplus to requirements with exits expected in coming weeks.