The last thing Rangers need when trying to control the wage budget is to be involved in a bidding war with clubs who have Premier League aspirations.
Birmingham City spent more than Rangers’ record transfer fee on Jay Stansfield to get promoted out of League One and Championship clubs are paying double what the Ibrox outfit’s highest earner is on.
Not every club can afford such inflated fees and wages, but those who have benefited from Premier League parachute payments are sharing the wealth in the lower leagues.
This means that players and clubs have all bumped up their expectations financially, making Rangers’ move for Joe Aribo almost a thing of the past.
Kwame Poku could be out of Rangers’ price range
Barry Fry has confirmed that Rangers have watched Kwame Poku, however, speaking on his Hard Truth podcast, Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony has claimed that interest is hotting up:
“There are 30-odd clubs who want Kwame – one in particular, who are really going all out. I think if he went there, it is probably the best move of his life, and he could be going to the Premier League in a year’s time.
“Then [once they have tribunal clarity] we’ll get to work. When we see off those players, we’ll start talking to those clubs because they won’t want to go to a tribunal as much as we do. It’s unpredictable and it will go in our favour in a big way.
“The problem with tribunals is that they have to pay all the money up front. You get told [what to pay]. We also have other things that are happening as well. We will try and still do business, we want to sell and bring money in but I’d sell my wedding ring to sign the right player.”
Why Rangers might have deep pockets but still need to budget
It is believed that Birmingham are the side leading the chase having come up against Poku on a couple of occasions this season, they are also looking for ways to spread their budget.
Good Bosman options will always be in demand, especially goalscorers or wingers with pace, and Poku ticks all of these boxes.
Normally, Rangers might be able to compete with a team like Birmingham, but their aspirations are clear.
The USA based owners have a similar plan to the 49ers Enterprises group which is to become a Premier League regular.
The only way to do this is to spend, and to spend big.
A philosophy that Rangers aren’t aligned to.
