Djeidi Gassama transfer details emerge as Rangers beat takeover saga – Exclusive
Rangers have raided the English divisions as Russell Martin aims to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season at Ibrox.
The Gers needed to act early in the transfer market, given the impending double-header with Panathinaikos in Champions League qualifying.
Max Aarons, Joe Rothwell, and Djeidi Gassama are among the Rangers players to have arrived from south of the border.
Indeed, the Bears could still make two more signings before their Champions League clash, with the UEFA squad deadline set for tonight (21 July).
Rangers benefit from Sheffield Wednesday situation
Gassama caused a stir at Ibrox by arriving in a Boston Celtics shirt.
The 21-year-old joined from the Owls, who were placed under a transfer embargo before their potential takeover reportedly fell through.
That saw the transfer confirmation take days to officially arrive, despite the winger being spotted in Rangers training gear.
Football finance expert Dan Plumley – speaking exclusively to Ibrox News – has provided insight on negotiations between the two clubs, with the takeover talks key.
“The timing is always really key to the detail,” he said.
“What we’re led to believe is that if there was to be a takeover at Sheffield Wednesday and that was to be very close in the offing, that there was going to be a block on players leaving.
“That was why there was a bit of, will he, won’t he move in this regard, and to bring that right up to date, it appears as though the takeover of that club has fallen through, so the transfer’s gone through in terms of negotiations.
“That does make it tricky, but also, there is the other side of that equation for Rangers that, because Wednesday were desperate to sell and in desperate need of cash, you can get that player at a lower price.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 84 | 12 | 4 |
“You would have expected that if Wednesday weren’t being forced to sell in relation to what was going on, that transfer fee could have easily been a little bit higher.
“Rangers might have had a bit of back and forth over the last week with the negotiations because of what’s happening at Sheffield Wednesday, but they’ve probably won on the transfer fee in general terms.
“The value would suggest that would have been a little bit higher, all things being equal, so overall, probably a very good deal for Rangers on paper at least.”
Gassama must make up for Celtic blunder
While Gassama’s clothing controversy was an innocent mistake, he will have to do more to prove himself in Glasgow.
Celtic supporters will be sure to remind their rivals of the incident, but if the forward can make an instant impact, then all can be forgiven.
However, it means nothing to the sorry state that Sheffield Wednesday find themselves in at Hillsborough, with more needing to be done to prevent scenes like this.
Sign up for the Ibrox News WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest, breaking Rangers news sent straight to your phone.