Rangers face plenty of challenges when it comes to signing top young talent and making an impact in the transfer market.
Every properly run club in world football will have a dossier on most of the players coming out of established markets, with emerging markets given increasing attention.
Competition is fierce, Rangers’ budget is tight and there are all manner of factors that need to come together in order for the club to convince someone their future lies at Ibrox.
But it’s a challenge made harder when ex-Rangers players are urging top young talents not to move to Ibrox as happened in the curious case of Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders.
Ex-Rangers star warned Tijjani Reijnders off Ibrox
Under the management of Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Rangers targeted a number of young Dutch players.
Amongst the most high-profile is Xavi Simons, now one of European football’s most coveted young talents, and Aston Villa left-back Ian Maatsen, once of Chelsea.
But whilst these deals never materialised for a multitude of reasons, the situation with former AZ Alkmaar midfielder Tijjani Reijnders sticks in the craw of many Rangers fans.
That’s because in 2022 Rangers tried to sign Reijnders – a year before the midfielder’s switch to AC Milan – only for former Ibrox defender Bert Konterman to sensationally warn the kid off a move.
“Rangers, my old club, wanted him [Tijjani Reijnders],” said Konterman in September 2023. “Martin [the player’s father] asked me what was wise.
“I thought it was wiser to stay at AZ. Rangers are a big club, but he was not ready at AZ yet and maybe even bigger clubs would come in a year.
“Moreover, I thought he would fit better in Spanish or Italian football. Fortunately, that came true. It’s a good thing he didn’t go.
“His patience has definitely been rewarded. He had a fantastic year at AZ and now plays for AC Milan.”
AC Milan star wanted by Chelsea, Spurs, City
Since moving to AC Milan, Tijjani Reijnders has developed into one of the top young midfielders in European football.
Impressing with his technical midfield style and imposing figure, Reijnders brings goals, energy and creativity in midfield and is reportedly being eyed in the Premier League.
Reijnders, 26, also has 20 caps for the Netherlands national team and is an increasingly important player at club and international level.
According to Calcio Mercato, Tottenham, Manchester City and Chelsea are all interested in the midfielder after a stellar Champions League showing v Real Madrid in the Bernabeu.
Tijjani Reijnders scored the third goal in a 3-1 victory over the legendary Spanish club on their own patch and his stock has since gone through the roof.
With Italian media currently rating the midfielder at €50m (£41.5m), that’s a valuation which is expected to rise in the coming seasons.
That’s because the likes of Spurs, City and Chelsea are going to be disappointed when Tijjani Reijnders signs a new contract, as expected, at AC Milan.
But not as disappointed as Rangers fans are in Bert Konterman for warning the talented Dutch midfielder off a move to Ibrox!
