Rangers have hit something of a brick wall in the transfer window as Philippe Clement looks to improve his side’s chances of winning the league title this season.
The squad still needs a lot of work but the manager knows that, come the end of the window, he will have to make do with whatever he is left with.
James Tavernier now looks likely to leave and follow Robby McCrorie out the door at Ibrox but there are still areas of the park where Rangers need to strengthen as soon as possible.
Couhaib Driouech reveals how close Rangers came to transfer
One of those is on the right wing. Oscar Cortés has been signed and he is capable of playing on either flank but it is clear that Nils Koppen has been trying his hardest to secure other targets.
Yusuf Kabadayi seemed like a done deal, however, Rangers came even closer to signing a player who his former manager couldn’t speak higher of after a January move to PSV Eindhoven fell through:
“The result was quite logical, despite his good will and mentality. All the spotlights were on him. It was perhaps a bit too much. All in all, you also come to the edge of physical strain. Especially because he is so explosive.”
Both Kabadayi and Driouech meet the sort of profile detailed in Nils Koppen’s revamped transfer policy.
The encouraging thing is, despite missing out on two occasions already, Rangers are clearly looking for an exciting type of winger who can contribute now as well as potentially making a profit in the summer.
Rangers near miss as Driouech makes transfer decision
Speaking to Voetbal International, Driouech confirmed Rangers interest but that he inly ever had eyes on a move to PSV Eindhoven:
‘Rangers, Sevilla and Sporting are absolutely beautiful clubs, but I wanted to go to PSV’
Sometimes, as with Kabadayi to Augsburg, there is nothing a recruitment team can do to persuade a player to join, if their heart is somewhere else.
The only other names who have been mentioned are Relebohile Mofokeng and Adama Traore with the latter a relative old head compared to the younger players who have been linked.
The obvious name and, perhaps, easiest to attract would be Abdallah Sima.
He continues to post pictures from his time at the club on Instagram and Philippe Clement has remained in regular contact with the 22-year old forward.
With Tavernier edging closer to the exit door, maybe the manager might get his wish.
