Martin connections pay off as Rangers close in on yet another transfer
Rangers have been very active so far in the summer transfer window.
The Gers have already completed the signing of seven players this window, with the likes of Max Aarons and Thelo Aasgaard headlining the major rebuild at Ibrox.
Russell Martin will be looking to bring more players through the door in the near future as he prepares for Rangers’ UEFA Champions League qualifier with Panathinaikos.
Martin is preparing for his first season in charge at Ibrox and is expected to close the gap on rivals Celtic, and he has used his connections to build a squad that can challenge the champions.
Martin confirms Gassama is set to sign
Djeidi Gassama has been targeted by the Gers throughout the window.
A deal for the Sheffield Wednesday winger had been reported to be stalling due to Owls owner Dejphon Chansiri failing to sign off on the transfer amid the Yorkshire side’s financial issues.
However, Martin has calmed any worries about the deal falling through.
The Englishman confirmed to reporters on Friday (11 July) that Rangers expect Gassama to become a Gers player, while he also talked about his connections helping him understand the situation.
Martin said: “I think it’s all done our end.
“I think with Sheffield Wednesday and the difficulties they are experiencing, which is tough for them.
“Obviously we’ve been here this week with them and I know a few of their guys and played with a couple of them and worked with a few of their staff members as well.
“It’s difficult for them. So we’re waiting on their end to be sorted, but I think we fully expect Gas to be our player, hopefully very soon.
“He’s different to what we’ve got. I think we need a point of difference in the squad. We need a few and he’ll be one of them, hopefully.”
It is clear once again that Martin is well connected in the English game, both from his playing and coaching career to date, and he may well be to thank once this deal eventually gets over the line.
Rangers have a young star in the making in Gassama
Martin’s Championship connections look to have brought a great talent over to Ibrox in the form of the France Under-20 international.
The former Southampton boss has already raided the English leagues for new signings, including Aasgaard, Emmanuel Fernandez and Joe Rothwell.
| Championship | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 2023/24 | 43 | 7 | 1 |
| 2024/25 | 35 | 3 | 3 |
Gassama has emerged as an outstanding talent in an unstable situation at Hillsborough, making 78 Championship appearances in two years.
With Cyriel Dessers’ future up in the air, Rangers will need goals added to their lineup, and the winger can bring output with his flair and eccentricity, as the Light Blues look to end Celtic’s reign of dominance.
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