The finances have become so unbalanced in modern football that even clubs of Rangers’ size and history have had to adopt something of a ‘sign low, sell high’ transfer strategy.
The early business done by Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen during this window and the last one highlight a club who see the benefits of prioritising youth, honing their talents and then selling them on for a sizeable profit.
With the exception of back-up goalkeeper Liam Kelly – brought back to Ibrox after his contract at Motherwell expired – the vast majority Rangers‘ recent acquisitions have been players in their early-20s.
Vaclav Cerny, a potentially ‘special’ loan signing from VFL Wolfsburg, is the only outfield addition made by Clement and Koppen over the age of 23.
And while Mohamed Diomande did not exactly come cheap – a £4.3 million deal making him comfortably one of the more expensive acquisitions of 2024 – former Gers captain Barry Ferguson has seen enough to suggest that the Ivory Coast international could soon be sitting alongside Calvin Bassey and Nathan Patterson as one of the club’s biggest-ever exports.
Future looks bright for Mohamed Diomande at Rangers
Now wearing the number ten shirt – he initially donned 42 when joining on loan from Nordsjaelland in January – Ferguson feels that Diomande has been Rangers stand-out performer in pre-season.
“I’ve watched all the games. The performances haven’t been ideal but one player that’s stood out is a player that I’ve spoken about last season,” Ferguson tells the Daily Record.
“I think this is a big season for him, Diomande. He’s starting to show real quality and I think he’s one player that Rangers could possibly make a small fortune off.”
As Ferguson alludes to, this is not the first time he has singled out the 22-year-old playmaker.
The five-time Scottish Premiership winner called Diomande a ‘gem of a find’ back in May, claiming that Rangers fans will see an ‘even better version’ in the coming season.
“I like everything about him. He can get about the pitch, very athletic, very good on the ball, works hard… He’s got a lot of very good attributes,” Ferguson now adds.
“He came in in January and I saw signs. But this pre-season, he’s the one that’s stood out for me.
“That’s the sort of model that Rangers are trying to get to. Bring players in and move them on for a small fortune. But amongst that, you still have to have experience. Guys that can help these players grow as footballers.
“So I expect the next batch of Rangers signings, depending on people going out the door, I think there will be players who are 27, 28, 29 years of age.”
£4.3 million fee already looks like a bargain
Speculation suggests that Rangers are indeed looking to bring in a more grizzled option to ease the pressure on youngsters Diomande and Connor Barron.
Rumours linking Sevilla ace Joan Jordan with a move to Glasgow continue to swirl.
Ferguson, meanwhile, is not the only one who can see Diomande going on to achieve very big things in the game, even if Rangers is unlikely to be where he spends the prime years of his career.
“For sure (he can improve further). Not only the next weeks, the next months and years,” Clement said shortly after he arrived on an initial short-term basis. “He’s a high potential player and I don’t think Rangers will be his last step.
“Of course, you need some luck with injuries in your career. But, if he steers clear of that, he’s going to make bigger steps. He has talent but also the right mentality to work for the team, be very concentrated and very focused.
“Those are the things you are looking for when you go into talks with players.”
