Rangers fans knew that a lot of heavy hitters were leaving the club last summer and there was an excitement about the potential transfers coming in to make use of the wages that had been saved.
In Allan McGregor, Filip Helander, Scott Arfield, Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos, there was a core of a title winning team and European finalist squad, so where did the money go?
It is an issue that Rangers manager Philippe Clement faces now with John Bennett telling the AGM, via STV, that a war chest for transfers isn’t the only way for the manager to rebuild his squad.
Rangers need to get better value for money for transfers
When asked if the summer transfer spend will affect the current Gers boss and his plans, the chairman said:
“I don’t see limitations. Do also bear in mind that there will be contract expiries as there are.
“That’s quite significant depending on what we do with that at the end of this season. It’s not just about transfers.
“It’s about recycling wages that roll off which are fairly significant.
“It’s not just about a transfer kitty. It’s also about being clever and more clever than we’ve been frankly in the recycling of wages rolling off.”
Pre-contract agreements and free transfers are always going to form a large part of Rangers player trading model and Philippe Clement will look to find bargains wherever he can.
There is still a risk with free transfers
Unfortunately, not every free transfer is a success, they can’t all be Jack Butland.
But, like Nicolas Raskin, Todd Cantwell and Jose Cifuentes, who were all signed on reduced fees in the last months of their contracts, there are ways to save money, so that if transfers don’t work out, money can still be made.
At the end of this season there will be six players, seven if you include Steven Davis, who will be out of contract and able to be taken off the wage bill.
This list includes players like John Lundstram and Borna Barisic who both remain key players for Rangers under Philippe Clement but who are also on big wages.
The decision to keep or release these players is a massive one to make and Rangers need to get their next draft of transfers right.
On one hand you know what they offer, but on the other hand, you know what they offer!
