Philippe Clement set for crucial Michy Batshuayi talks Wednesday as Rangers chase January transfer window deal
Philippe Clement is set for “crucial” talks with Michy Batshuayi on Wednesday 10 January as he looks to bring the striker to Rangers, according to the Scottish Sun.
Reporting via their website late on 9 January the paper said discussions were expected in the next 24 hours after the Ibrox boss made a pitch to bring in his fellow Belgian during the January window.
Clement is thought to want to get the 30-year-old Fenerbahce forward in before the Light Blues fly out to La Manga for their winter training camp this week.
The ex-Chelsea man is available to leave the Turkish Super Lig side after failing to agree a new contract in Istanbul.
Movement
If Rangers can secure an international striker in time to have him in the squad for the training camp ahead of the return to action from the winter break it would represent a considerable success for Clement.
He clearly needs help up front, despite bringing in attacker Fabio Silva on loan from Wolves, with Cyriel Dessers currently the only fit number nine.
The Nigerian has started to have more of an impact as his Rangers career has gone on but is still looking less than comfortable, but with fellow summer signing Sam Lammers’ time in Glasgow having not worked out at all he is set to leave on loan.
Most Gers supporters, and likely the manager, would have signed up if they had been offered Silva and Batshuayi while finding a taker for Lammers before the window opened, so if Clement can convince the 53-cap Belgian it would be an improvement.
In the past six years Batshuayi has played for Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, Valencia, Crystal Palace, Beskitas and Fenerbahce, so the fact that he can’t seem to settle anywhere represents something of a red flag.
But he has scored eight times as a back-up option this term and netted 20 times in all competitions last season, so while he might not be perfect he should be able to increase the threat in front of goal at Rangers.
In other Rangers news, the club are also said to be interested in bringing another out of favour attacking recruit to Ibrox during the window.