Rangers reportedly pulled out of a move for Erik Botheim due to finances but a return for the Norwegian shouldn’t be ruled out.
As part of the all-conquering Bodo/Glimt side that rose to prominence a few years ago, once-linked Erik Botheim was a striker in-demand as he led the minnow’s goal-scoring charts.
So impressed were Russian outfit Krasnodar that they shelled out around £7.5m for the 6ft tall striker only to see him leave just six-months later due to the Russia/Ukraine war and a FIFA loophole.
Rangers were, rightly, interested in a deal for such a player and sent scouts to watch him, however, Serie A outfit Salernitana won the race amid reports of sky high wage demands and the rest, is history.
It’s safe to say that Botheim’s big move to Italy hasn’t quite gone to plan though with the 23-year old scoring just once in the league.
The sort of form that sees his side perilously close to the drop.
Is Erik Botheim a realistic option for Rangers this summer?
Now said to be on £18,000 per week, the Under-21 international is on the sort of salary that we could afford as Michael Beale looks to replace Alfredo Morelos.
Not being able to score goals in Serie A is far from shameful and Botheim wouldn’t be the first striker to have to take a step back to get his career on track again.
At Rangers he would get more chances, better supply and would also get more minutes than the 500 he has seen this season.
A record of nearly a goal every two games, as he did at Bodo/Glimt, would be more than achievable should he come to Glasgow.
Much of his future will be decided by what Salernitana want to do next season but, having landed Botheim on a free transfer, they might be open to doing a deal so that they can make better use of the wages.
Rangers seems to have become a home for those needing rehabilitated and if our penchant for returning for targets continues, Botheim could be next.
