Rangers’ lack of January transfer activity turned heads as the club failed to bolster an already struggling squad for the domestic and European campaigns.
The Scottish Premiership might’ve been a long shot even back in January, but the Scottish Cup and Europa League certainly could’ve done with extra reinforcements.
Instead, Rangers added only Rafael Fernandes to the club’s ranks with the Portuguese defender joining on loan from Lille and playing only 90 minutes across four games this season.
Now, the Ibrox side have announced that they will not be taking up the £2.7m option in the Fernandes deal, with the defender returning to France.
Rafael Fernandes among six Rangers players released
Rafael Fernandes is one of six players who have been officially released by Rangers at the end of the season at Ibrox.
The 22-year-old defender joined in January under Philippe Clement with his only start coming in that drastic Scottish Cup defeat to Queen’s Park.
It speaks volumes that Fernandes struggled to break into a struggling defence at Rangers, with Ferguson seeing his side concede two or more goals for eight games on the bounce.
The exit of Fernandes comes after Leon Balogun announced that he would be leaving Ibrox, with the club now confirming the Nigerian’s departure.
Balogun joins Tom Lawrence and Ianis Hagi in leaving at the end of their contracts, whilst Vaclav Cerny and Neraysho Kasanwirjo have also left Ibrox at the end of their loan deals.
49ers Enterprises ready £120m Leeds investment as Rangers brace for summer of change
Rangers will now look to the summer with Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises promising substantial investment at Ibrox.
Dave King insists Rangers will have ’substantial’ money to spend should the US takeover go through as planned.
There have already been links to a number of defenders – Ipswich’s Cameron Burgess and Estoril’s Kevin Boma amongst them.
Rangers fans will also be buoyed by reports down south surrounding fresh investment into newly promoted Premier League side Leeds United.
The 49ers are the majority owners of the Elland Road club, and look set to invest £120m into the side as they look to retain their Premier League status next season.
The Americans certainly mean business and Rangers fans will hope to see their chequebook opened in the coming months.
