The biggest task of Rangers sporting director Kevin Thelwell won’t be to attract new players to the club, it will be to move on those who have been deemed surplus to requirements.
Last summer is the perfect example of when things go wrong with Nils Koppen bringing in only £800,000 in transfer fees.
Todd Cantwell had two seasons that were more than good enough to tempt clubs in England to entertain bids but left on deadline day for a pittance.
It was a similar story for Ianis Hagi who had enjoyed a productive European Championships only to find himself still training with the B team in October.
Six players have been released, including Hagi, but players like Ben Davies will now be at the top of Rangers to move on list.
Birmingham City want to buy Ben Davies from Rangers
According to GiveMeSport, Birmingham City want to sign Davies on a permanent basis after a successful loan spell.
Branded a “brick wall” by fans and the club’s social media team, it would appear as if the centre-half has his mojo back.
With just a year left on his Rangers contract though, a second chance to impress at Ibrox won’t be entertained when there is a fee to be had.
The report claims that any move will depend on a new Rangers manager being appointed, however, Patrick Stewart has already clarified the club’s position on this.
Player transfers won’t be on hold until a manager is brought in, and work will continue behind the scenes.
Also, the manager will no longer be the driving force behind who stays and who goes.
How much could Rangers sell Davies for?
Davies cost Rangers £4m, is a few years older, and has just a year left on his contract.
Thelwell will have to be at his best to get anywhere near what Rangers paid Liverpool.
Birmingham do have deep pockets though, and they will know that Davies is not only experienced in the Championship, but also one of the most consistent centre-halves at that level.
Anything around half of the original £4m fee and Rangers will be doing well.
With Rangers linked to Cameron Burgess on a Bosman transfer, it would appear that an experienced and left-footed central defender has already been identified.
Clinton Nsiala is a promising back-up, and blocking his path to the first-team with two senior left-sided defenders doesn’t make sense.
If it is a big summer for Rangers, it is an even bigger one for Thelwell with an opportunity to make an immediate impression.
A sizeable fee for Ben Davies would be a good place to start.
