Rangers boss Michael Beale has indicated that there could be as many as a dozen transfers at Ibrox this summer.
Rangers lost the Scottish Cup semi-final clash with Celtic today, falling to a 1-0 defeat at Hampden Park.
The Gers will end the season without a trophy and another drab display against the Bhoys hasn’t inspired confidence.
Beale needs to bring in new signings this summer and he has signalled a summer of upheaval.
Speaking to Rangers Review, Beale suggested that player turnover may reach a dozen this summer.
“Something in the words you used because there is a number out of contract,” said Beale when asked about a dozen transfers. “What I said [against St Mirren] was about the boys playing who were all in contract. Within the one or two I’ve mentioned are two that are out of contract.”
“Everyone else is in contract so they’re not going anywhere overnight. There will be change we know that. Now is probably not the time to discuss that because I get when you win everything is brilliant, we wouldn’t be having this discussion if we win the game. We’ve lost it. Let’s deal with today,” he added.
We initially read the comments as meaning six in and six out to make it a dozen of total deals.
Yet when you look at the situation Rangers face with expiring contracts and underperforming players, maybe it really could be a dozen in and a dozen out to rebuild this Rangers squad.
Who could join Rangers?
A goalkeeper is a top priority for Rangers this summer and Jack Butland appears to be the main target.
Butland is out of contract at Crystal Palace and, if the Eagles don’t activate a one-year option on his deal, he will be free to join Rangers.
Ryan Kent looks set to leave and the futures of Rabbi Matondo and Scott Wright aren’t exactly secure.
Rangers are looking at a couple of Championship wingers in QPR’s Chris Willock and Swansea City’s Morgan Whittaker.
Willock would cut inside from the left whilst Whittaker would do the same from the right, giving Beale a couple of different options out wide.
If Ryan Kent, Scott Wright and Rabbi Matondo all end up leaving, maybe three wingers will come in.
Aris star Luis Palma has been linked but that would be an expensive deal for Rangers.
It also sounds like Rangers want another playmaker and a deal for Norwich City’s Kieran Dowell is rumoured to be close.
Dowell would add another attacking midfield option for Beale and reunite with Todd Cantwell at Ibrox.
The Daily Record claim that Dowell is penning a three-year deal with Rangers and has already passed a medical.
Rangers also simply have to buy a new striker; no ifs, no buts.
Morelos is on his way out whilst both Antonio Colak and Kemar Roofe have suffered numerous injury woes.
Josh Maja has been linked but maybe Rangers will end up needing two goalscorers this summer.
Another centre back wouldn’t hurt Rangers either, offering support to Connor Goldson, Ben Davies and John Souttar.
Jonathan Panzo would make sense as another left-sided centre back to offer competition for Davies.
Midfielders have been linked too, namely Jose Cifuentes and Denis Huseinbasic.
Signing both seems unlikely but adding more energy in midfield should be a focus for Beale and co.
Who could leave Rangers?
We’re thoroughly expecting both Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos to leave Rangers when their contracts expire this summer.
Neither player turned up against Celtic today and it’s time for them to go.
Allan McGregor is out of contract and may hang up his gloves whilst Steven Davis is also a candidate to call it a day.
Filip Helander is almost certainly leaving for nothing after injury hell and there has been little update on new deals for Scott Arfield or Ryan Jack.
If Beale is looking to shift a dozen out, then the likes of Glen Kamara, Ianis Hagi, Nnamdi Ofoborh, Robby McCrorie, Rabbi Matondo, Scott Wright and maybe even Kemar Roofe will face uncertain futures.
