Matija Frigan has expressed his concerns surrounding a potential summer exit from HNK Rijeka with Rangers reportedly keeping tabs on the Croatian striker.
Though how you want to assess Frigan’s comments depends on how full your glass is. Half full and hopeful? Or half empty and resigned to a summer of frustration regarding Mick Beale’s pursuit of an adequate Alfredo Morelos replacement?
The HNK Rijeka starlet insists, in conversation with Sportkse Jutarnji, that he is still too ‘young’ to consider leaving the relatively small pond that is the Croatian top-flight for choppier waters elsewhere.
Is Matija Frigan an option for Rangers?
“I have already said many times that I need a step where I could continue to develop and progress,” the 20-year-old explains, via Germanijak.
“I’m still young. From that point of view, I don’t think it would be good to target some big, top clubs now.”
Rangers, however, may be exactly the kind of ‘club’ that would suit Frigan, linked this week, down to the ground.
Like it or not, the simple fact is that even Scotland’s biggest hitters continue to be viewed as something of a ‘stepping stone’ for talented youngsters looking to make a name for themselves, the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Calvin Bassey, Joe Aribo, Moussa Dembele and co arriving for minor fees before departing for major sums later down the line.
And while moving from Croatia to Scotland would be a step up, it is not one steep enough to leave Frigan stuck at the bottom of the stairs with no means of moving upwards.
Reports this week suggested that the highly-rated, 6ft 1ins predator – likened to Lazio legend Ciro Immobile due to his pace and instinctive finishing ability – was one of the names on Mick Beale’s radar as the Rangers boss looks to replace the departing Alfredo Morelos.
Some have suggested that Frigan, after scoring 15 goals in 30 games for Rijeka, could cost around £5 million.
“I see that a lot is being written about me,” he adds. “I try to pay as little attention to it as possible. We will see what happens, the transfer window starts on June 19.”
Frigan’s agent, meanwhile, insists that no ‘offers’ have yet been forthcoming, even if ‘inquiries’ are hardly in short supply.