Any departures from Rangers at this late stage of the transfer window would cause issues.
Gers have had a quiet January window so far, adding only Rafael Fernandes on loan from Lille, and losing any key players with days left would make it very difficult to find replacements.
Of those being linked with other clubs, the strongest suggestions are around Hamza Igamane, with latest reports hinting Everton are looking to get a deal done ahead of the deadline.
There have also been suggestions Rangers would be willing to deal at £25million and while that would represent excellent player trading, it would also leave things a bit light in the striking department.
French side Stade Reims were also added to the Igamane race, although any deal was said to be ‘complicated’, while Tottenham have been taking a look after he scored against them and impressed their scouts in further matches.
But Everton are the ones being strongly linked with the interest appearing to be concrete.
Clement speaks on Everton Igamane interest
Bringing in a player for £1.7m and then selling him for £25m less than a year later quite clearly represents good business.
But from a footballing point of view, Philippe Clement wants to keep working with Igamane.
He likens it to the situation he had with Leandro Trossard at Genk, who would go on to sign for Brighton and eventually Arsenal.
Clement insists it is all about striking at the right moment in these situations, and making sure the player makes their big move when it suits them best.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s Europa League clash with Union Saint-Gilloise, he said: “I had the same in Genk, Leandro Trossard could have left earlier to go to the Premier League. We had talks with him about that, but also other players like Sander Berge.
“It’s important to do the right step at the right moment, because you see a lot of players make the step higher and not being ready and they’re losing themselves because they’re not playing because they were not ready.
“I have experience around it. I’ve been speaking with players around it also. I understand when it’s right for the club and the player, and it’s not nice as the manager to let them go.”
Rangers would have to accept £25m for Igamane
If Rangers are offered £25m for Igamane, they would have to accept. No ifs, no buts.
It would represent a 1470 per cent mark-up in just half a season and would be a club record fee.
Crucially it would be a massive step in the right direction in terms of nailing the player trading model that Clement has often talked about and enable them to reinvest in different areas of the squad, even if not until the summer.
