Rangers suffer early transfer blow after bizarre Neil Lennon twist today
Rangers have already suffered a blow ahead of the summer transfer window in their bid to sign Rapid Bucuresti’s Albion Rrahmani.
According to Kosovan Football via X [18 May], the Gers have joined the likes of Aston Villa and Benfica in the race to sign the 23-year-old striker, who has notched 19 goals and five assists in all competitions.
Philippe Clement will be searching for a new striker during the summer transfer window, with current forward Cyriel Dessers facing plenty of criticism despite scoring 22 goals this season.
However, the Scottish club have been handed an unusual blow in their quest for Rrahmani’s signature with the Romanian side appointing a new manager ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
The club confirmed on Monday [20 May] that former Celtic manager Neil Lennon has been appointed to lead Bucuresti into the following season, which will likely make Rangers’ attempt to sign the in-form striker much harder.
Despite finishing second in the Romanian top division, they subsequently finished bottom as the league split, much like the Scottish Premiership does. The striker could be open to leaving due to this slip in form.
With Lennon’s ties to Celtic, however, he will be unlikely to allow the Gers to sign Rrahmani this summer, especially if the transfer could help the Old Firm club compete with their rivals in the Scottish Premiership.
Rangers suffer early transfer blow as Neil Lennon news emerges
The Ibrox faithful will be almost certain that Lennon’s impact will see Rangers miss out on the 23-year-old forward, which could have a detrimental effect on the club’s transfer plans this summer.
This season, Dessers has been left to his own devices in the striker role, with Danilo out injured for much of the season and Kemar Roofe has a similar story, though he has now confirmed his departure.
With Fabio Silva and Abdallah Sima set to return to their parent clubs, and it unknown what is happening with Oscar Cortes this summer, Clement will be desperate to add some more firepower to the squad.
Rrahmani would have been the perfect addition, having been in form for much of the 2023/24 campaign, but that signing now looks to be off-limits with Lennon’s appointment.
Rangers now have no option but to look elsewhere for a poacher to compete with Dessers and Danilo, and hopefully take the starting XI spot under Clement.
In other Rangers news, the club have been boosted by what Atalanta did.
For more Rangers news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.