Rangers have been dealt a significant blow in their pursuit of Norwegian midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl, with EFL Championship club Cardiff City outbidding the Ibrox club.
The Light Blues have been locked in a high-stakes chase for the towering 20-year-old, having previously seen a £5.3million offer flatly rejected by his current club, Tromso IL.
Derek McInnes and Co. have been eager to bring the Norway Under-21s international to Glasgow to serve as a long-term engine room anchor, as Nicolas Raskin looks certain to leave.
However, a major update published by Norwegian regional newspaper iTromso on Monday evening has confirmed that the Welsh side have launched a massive rival bid that completely eclipses Rangers’ previous offer, leaving the Glasgow giants with the clock ticking on a potential deal.
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Cardiff City blow Rangers out of the water
Cardiff City’s proposal is understood to be significantly higher than the £5.3m package the Gers previously presented to Tromso.
While the Bluebirds’ premium offer has also been knocked back by the Norwegian outfit as they hold firm to their hardline £7.5m asking price, the bid serves as a major warning shot to Andrew Cavenagh and Co.
Furthermore, the Norwegian media reports that a cluster of unnamed ‘English clubs’ are actively circling the player, threatening to completely price the Govan club out of a deal as the summer window ticks away.
The £7.5m transfer stand-off
This development leaves technical director Dan Purdy and the Rangers board facing an immediate high-stakes decision.
With Cardiff City already proving they have the financial muscle to easily bypass Rangers’ valuation, the Light Blues cannot afford to drag their feet.
Tromso’s clear refusal to compromise on their £7.5m demand means that if Rangers want to secure Hjerto-Dahl, they must prepare to break the bank.
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The Gers, though, have an advantage in their pursuit of the midfielder, as he has openly admitted that he is tempted by a potential move to Ibrox this summer.
Rangers are poised to return with an improved offer, but might have to wait until they raise some funds first.
With English interest rapidly intensifying and the clock ticking toward the start of the season, the pressure is on the Ibrox board to either match the escalating £7.5m bounty or reluctantly turn their attention elsewhere.
