Michael Beale said some weeks before the end of the season that, surprisingly, his Rangers transfer budget wasn’t going to be an issue this summer.
Already though, there are players that the Light Blues are missing out on who could have been outstanding investments in both the short and long term during this transfer window.
With doubts over Luis Palma’s move and Petar Ratkov set to join RB Salzburg, does Michael Beale really have the backing of the Rangers board?
For context, this is what the Gers gaffer said in April:
“There are no restrictions on budget, there is money to spend in the summer – it’s a good amount, I think, for a Rangers manager, compared to what I’ve seen in previous years. I’m really positive about the summer.”
Michael Beale has clearly been backed in one guise because there are already three new faces confirmed with another four said to be pretty close to joining Rangers.
That sort of work doesn’t come cheap.
But, in key positions, Rangers still seem to be counting the pennies.
Does Michael Beale have the full backing of the Rangers board?
After a reported £2.5m bid for Palma, Rangers have only gone half-way to Aris’s asking price.
For Petar Ratkov, a £4.4m fee might seem steep for a teenager, but then we are prepared to pay similar for both Cyriel Dessers and Sam Lammers, neither of whom have been prolific of late.
If Dessers or Lammers fail, we won’t get our money back given their age but Ratkov is still young enough that Rangers would, at worst, be able to sell him for what we paid for him.
The same could be applied to Malik Tillman.
Then there is Jose Cifuentes.
Are Los Angeles FC really demanding that much for the 24-year old midfielder that it is worth gambling losing him in a couple of week’s time when he can discuss a pre-contract agreement with anyone?
There can’t even be an argument made for the board giving the manager a share of any money that comes in from player sales either.
Why?
Because once the players who have been linked are confirmed, Michael Beale will then have to set about off-loading those who aren’t going to contribute next season – and it is a legthy list.
Michael Beale thinks that he has been given a “good amount” but, is it going to be enough for Rangers to win the title back?
