Rangers news round-up: Martin in private Ibrox talks as player dumped by 49ers
Ibrox is a hotbed of exciting transfer news now that the summer transfer window has reopened.
The 49ers group has promised Rangers manager Russell Martin plenty of funds to build a first-team squad in his image, and it seems it’s only a matter of time until the first new signing is announced.
Here, Ibrox News rounds up the most pressing Rangers news headlines from the last 24 hours.
Max Aarons named as the most likely first signing for Rangers
Max Aarons has emerged as one of the most likely players to become Rangers’ first signing of the 49ers era.
The full-back is out of favour at AFC Bournemouth and was shipped out on loan to Valencia last season.
Now, the Scottish media are suggesting a loan deal for Aarons at Ibrox is all but completed.
If he agrees a deal, he will provide some sturdy competition for James Tavernier’s right-back slot.
Dessers could leave for as little as £4million
Cyriel Dessers has been heavily linked with a move away from Rangers this summer, although the club have announced that they will only sell him for an appropriate fee.
The striker has previously been valued at £5.1m amid interest from Greek side AEK Athens.
But, Scottish football journalist Scott McDermott says that a bid of £4m would be too difficult for Rangers to turn down.
Martin ‘in private talks’ over future of Jack Butland
The identity of Rangers’ first-choice goalkeeper will be a key decision for Martin as he prepares to build a team capable of competing with Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
Jack Butland lost his place towards the end of last season following a poor spell of form, although he did start the final two games.
| Player | Appearances | Clean Sheets | Goals Conceded |
| Jack Butland | 28 | 10 | 31 |
| Liam Kelly | 10 | 4 | 10 |
Former Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell believes Martin will already have had private talks about his plans for Butland’s future.
“The people upstairs will be having that discussion with Russell,” Bell said.
Poku ready to replace Vaclav Cerny on the wing
Kwame Poku is another player who looks destined to sign for Rangers this summer.
The Ghanaian is available on a free transfer as his contract at Peterborough United is about to expire.
Now, it has been reported that Poku’s transfer will spell the end of Vaclav Cerny in a Rangers shirt.
Cerny was on loan at Ibrox last season, and there was speculation of him signing permanently, but it appears as if that deal is off the table now.