Rangers make approach to sign Zinedin Smajlovic amid multi-million Celtic offer

Rangers continue to track the progress of Zinedin Smajlovic at Sandefjord.

The Swede has been linked with an Ibrox switch already this summer, but a deal is yet to go through.

He has caught the eye in Norway despite his side currently sitting eighth in the table after 11 games.

The centre-back has played in 10 of those games, but could be set to leave part-way through the Eliteserien campaign.

The Gers are showcasing an interest in the 22-year-old, but are yet to make their move.

A new offer has now been made by Celtic, while Rangers hope to win the race for Smajlovic this summer.

Zinedin Smajlovic could still head to Ibrox despite £3.8m+ Celtic bid

The Govan outfit are certainly in need of fresh faces after a frustrating end to the Scottish Premiership campaign.

Derek McInnes is new in the dugout and Lawrence Shankland has already added to the attack in G51.

Defensive reinforcements are seemingly the next in store as interest in Smajlovic continues, but a deal doesn't look set to be simple.

Rudy Galetti reported on Tuesday that Celtic have tabled an improved offer for the Swede worth £3.8million plus £1.7m in potential add-ons.

Rangers continue to track the defender, while Olympiacos, Hull City, , Fenerbahce, Toulouse, Feyenoord and Lyon remain in the race.

Sandefjord are under no pressure to sell at this stage as transfer remains on ice this summer.

Smajlovic's link to Zinedine Zidane revealed

The Rangers target doesn't have a traditional name for his homeland.

His first name, Zinedin, actually comes from the Real Madrid and France legend Zinedine Zidane.

Smajlovic's father's big idol was the five-time Champions League winner, so much so that he named his son after him.

That is a source of great pride for the defender who revealed in a 2023 interview with Sportbladet, "I love my name!"

He added, "I like my name. I've watched a lot of what Zidane did. He was the best during his time. He is among the world's best players of all time along with Pelé, Maradona, Ronaldo, Messi."

That is certainly an interesting story and it could prove to be an equally interesting summer as he continues to be strongly linked with a move.