Rangers submit bids totalling £10m as 49ers Enterprises throw their weight around Scottish Premiership
The 49ers are spending the cash for Rangers in the January transfer window.
Despite what was a woeful start to the campaign, Rangers are back in genuine contention for the Scottish Premiership title this season.
However, their ability to maintain that push will hinge on the level of player they are able to bring to Ibrox this month.
The Gers have already made moves to sign several players over the last few days, with a new bid submitted for a defensive arrival.
Rangers see bid rejected for former Hearts ace
Tochi Chukwuani is looking likely to be Rangers’ first signing of the January transfer window, with a £4million deal agreed for the Sturm Graz midfielder.
The 22-year-old is due to fly into Glasgow to formalise his move.
He could be followed by Tuur Rommens, for whom Rangers have submitted a £3m bid.
Now, a report from the Mail Online states that the Gers have seen a bid of the same value rejected for former Hearts and current AEK Athens defender James Penrice.
Penrice joined the Greek outfit from Hearts in the summer, where he made 46 total appearances and registered nine goal contributions from left-back.
It remains to be seen if Rangers follow through with another bid for the 27-year-old, though that now totals £10m in offers made by the 49ers so far this month.
Stats show why James Penrice would be a major upgrade for Rangers
Jayden Meghoma has been Danny Rohl’s go-to for Rangers at left-back, and while he has fared well, Penrice would be an instant upgrade.
Not only does he have far more experience of playing in Scottish football, but he also had an excellent campaign for Hearts last time out at both ends of the pitch.
Via Sofascore, the defender created 14 big chances, compared to Meghoma’s three so far in the current campaign.
Defensively, Penrice also outperforms Meghoma, with the Scot averaging 2.3 tackles per 90 compared to Meghoma’s 1.8, as well as 1.1 interceptions to his 0.7.
It would be a massive upgrade for the Gers, and if they can replicate that with other arrivals this month, there is no reason Rohl can’t lead this side to their first league title since the 2020-2021 campaign.
Stay up to date this winter with our Rangers transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at Ibrox, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.