‘Decent Chance’ Rangers go for Lawrence Shankland after Fabio Silva transfer as message sent to Hearts – Journalist

Fri 29 December 2023 8:10, UK

Rangers are still likely to try and sign Lawrence Shankland from Hearts in January despite sealing a deal for Fabio Silva, according to The Fourth Official.

Writing on his website (28 December), the journalist reported that a deal for the Portuguese striker has been agreed on loan for the rest of the season, which was confirmed on Thursday night, but that may not be the end of the Ibrox club’s business in that area of the pitch.

In fact there is a “decent chance” they still move for Hearts skipper Shankland if he is available for a reasonable price, with the move for Silva seen as Rangers sending a message to Hearts that they won’t overpay.

It's DONE.

Rangers beat Celtic to the signing of Wolves record signing Fabio Silva on loan.

Celtic also wanted the player but Silva decided on Rangers finally earlier this week.

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— The 4th Official (@Official_T4O) December 28, 2023

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“So the signing is a bit of a gamble for Clement’s side,” they wrote.

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“For example, many expected Lawrence Shankland from Hearts to be the primary target. However, this is also a message from Rangers to Hearts that they will not be overpaying for a player who will be in the last year of his contract at the end of the season.

“There is still a decent chance Rangers go for Shankland, but only for a reasonable price. And we all know in Scotland, that it’s not always the case, especially when Rangers (or Celtic) come calling.”

Interesting

A striker was always going to be sought after in the January window by Philippe Clement because of the injury problems for Danilo and Kemar Roofe, as well as the fact Sam Lammers can’t hit a barn door with a banjo.

But bringing in two would surely spell the end of one of the aforementioned players’ Ibrox careers, and that would be a huge call for the manager to make.

Shankland is no spring chicken but has been on fire in recent times, and knows the league so well that there would be unlikely to be any sort of bedding in period necessary for him.

But Hearts will want a premium fee for their main man and captain, and that could be enough to put an end to any interest from Rangers’ point of view.

With a player needed up front it’s smart to get a deal done early and if the opportunity presents itself to add another then go from there, rather than focus on one player all window only to end up disappointed.

In other Rangers news, Journalist shares if Rangers will pay 100% of wages as January loan deal close to completion