Turkish club Fenerbahce are closing in on a deal for legendary Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci as Rangers are linked to striker Michy Batshuayi.
That’s according to leading transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, who claims that the Union Berlin defender, 36, will earn €1.3m (£1.1m) over his six months in Turkey.
The move is likely to add even more strain on the not-inconsiderable Fenerbahce wage-bill with the likes of Dusan Tadic, Edin Dzeko and – of course – Michy Batshuayi already at the club.
Rangers are said to be leading the hunt for the Belgian striker, 30, who appears set to move on from Fenerbahce this window.
Reports in Turkey have claimed the forward is on the way out of the Istanbul club whilst he’s just been spotted in Dubai as his teammates prepare for a crunch Super Lig game.
Fenerbahce to add Leonardo Bonucci to wage bill
Reports coming out of Turkey have suggested that the striker is ready to leave the Istanbul club after 18 months due to a lack of playing time.
Michy Batshuayi is also a high-earner at Fenerbahce and – with links to clubs in Belgium and France – the Turks could be busy with ins and outs this window.
Rangers meanwhile are on the hunt for a new striker although it is not clear if the Ibrox club could match the sorts of wages Michy Batshuayi is earning at Fenerbahce.
Given Fenerbahce’s move for Leonardo Bonucci one wonders if the Turkish side will now be looking to take some strain off the club’s wage bill, even on a temporary basis.
Talk of wages has certainly dampened the excitement around any deal as Rangers fans continue to muse over who Philippe Clement might sign to become the club’s leading hitman this winter.
Can Rangers boss convince Michy Batshuayi?
Michy Batshuayi is a player who is very familiar to Belgian manager Philippe Clement – who tried to sign the striker for Club Brugge three-and-a-half years ago – but the costs involved have raised doubts over a switch.
The Rangers manager did however reveal that Portuguese hitman Fabio Silva rejected loan moves to other clubs and took a pay cut to join the Ibrox squad in January.
One suspects that Michy Batshuayi might have to do the same but the promise of regular football, a title race, the adulation of supporters, and a Europa League run bring their own appeal.
The situation also highlights how up against it Rangers are in the transfer market in this day and age with the Gers unable to boast the sorts of wages that attract players to Turkey.
