USA international Haji Wright is reportedly a summer target for Mick Beale’s Rangers but reports from Turkey suggest that he would rather join Fenerbahce instead.
Now, it’s probably fair to say that the Turkish press, when it comes to transfer rumours, have a track record for being about as inconsistent as Alfredo Morelos in an Old Firm derby. For every attempt that finds the back of the net, countless others fly wildly into the stands.
To give them their due, however, they were on the money regarding Ridvan Yilmaz’s move from Besiktas to Ibrox during the summer of 2022. And while we have our doubts about whether or not Rangers have really submitted a £7 million bid for Haji Wright – Mick Beale appears unlikely to spend so much on one player with so many other positions in need of reinforcement – what cannot be disputed is that a new centre-forward is certainly required on the blue side of Glasgow.
Beale has confirmed that Morelos will be leaving when his contract expires. Antonio Colak, an awkward fit for the manager’s preferred style of play, is facing an uncertain future too.
Can Rangers really sign Haji Wright?
A 6ft 3ins sky-scraper of a ‘number nine’; Los Angeles-born Wright may be better suited to leading the line in a Beale team; strong, clinical and an impressive link-man with his back to goal.
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But Turkish publication Milliyet believe that – even if Rangers did offer to meet Antalyaspor £8.5 million asking price – Wright would not be rushing to follow in the footsteps of fellow Americans Malik Tillman and James Sands.
Wright, who scored for the USA against the Netherlands at the Qatar World Cup, is reportedly ‘in favour’ of joining Super Lig giants Fenerbahce instead. He believes that the Istanbul giants would be a more suitable destination; both from a sporting and an economic perspective.
Fenerbahce are second in the table, five points behind bitter rivals Galatasaray.
Fener look destined to miss out on Champions League qualification. Their spending power could still dwarf that of Rangers, however, especially with the expected departure of teenage wonderkid Arda Guler freeing up further funds for a big summer signing or two.
Wright has scored 16 goals in 26 games for Antalyaspor this season.