Rangers are reportedly interested in signing Philadelphia Union left back Kai Wagner as the January transfer window looms.
Philippe Clement already has his first Rangers signing on board with striker Fabio Silva arriving on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Silva can start his Rangers career on Monday and Clement will be looking for more signings to bolster his squad with Nils Koppen working hard on recruitment.
Another left back seems to be a priority with Borna Barisic out injured and Ridvan Yilmaz yet to really convince since joining From Besiktas in 2022.
We now have another rumour to deal with as reports suggest that Rangers are showing a keen interest in signing Philadelphia Union left back Kai Wagner…
Kai Wagner, the story so far
Wagner came up in the ranks of German clubs SSV Ulm, just about half an hour away from his hometown of Geislingen an der Steige.
Wagner did spend a brief period with Augsburg but became a first-team player at Ulm, playing 32 games in Germany’s fifth tier.
Schalke came calling as they signed Wagner for their B team, but that union lasted just a year before Wagner moved on to Wurzburger Kickers.
That is where Wagner started to really get moving and Philadelphia Union spotted him, bringing him to Major League Soccer in 2019.
Wagner has gone from strength to strength ever since, racking up 32 assists and seven goals in 170 appearances for the MLS side.
One of the top left backs in Major League Soccer, Wagner is now ready for another cracking Europe and Rangers could now pounce with Wagner’s contract expiring today.
Kai Wagner player profile
- Age: 26
- Date of birth: 15/02/1997
- Position: Left back
- Club: Philadelphia Union
- Former clubs: SSV Ulm, Schalke II, Wurzburger Kickers
- Nationality: German
- Contract: Until December 31st 2023
Kai Wagner, what they say
“I do think he can play in the Bundesliga, I do feel he can play in England, certainly in the Championship — I think he can play in so many leagues in the world. So sometimes I am surprised that the big offer didn’t come across for the best left back in the league. In some ways, that kept him here — and helped us win games as well,” – Jim Curtin, Philadelphia Union boss, 2023.
“He has the mentality. He’s young. He’s a fighter. He’s not scared of the contact, which is something very important in this league, and I think that’s why right now he’s adapted very well,” – Ex-Union teammate and former Gretna defender Aurelien Collin, 2019.
“I don’t think so, no. He’s unbelievable. He’s doing his job; he’s showing up, he’s also making recovery sprints in the 88th minute to make sure we don’t concede one more. He’s a really good player, and I really enjoy playing with him,” – Union striker Mikael Uhre on whether he hash ever seen a left back like Wagner, 2022.
Kai Wagner to Rangers analysis
Rangers are understandably looking at left backs, but this is a tricky situation.
Barisic still has a few months left on his contract and it’s unclear whether there is a market for Yilmaz after 18 underwhelming months at Ibrox.
Bringing in another left back in January would surely mean letting one go; we can’t see Rangers carrying three left backs at once.
That means somebody will need to leave and we’re just unsure whether that will come in January.
If it does, Wagner would be a sensible target on a free transfer as his Philadelphia Union contract comes to an end.
Wagner has shown outstanding attacking qualities in Major League Soccer and he certainly deserves a chance in Europe.
There aren’t many better left backs around on a free transfer and Wagner’s strong record with the Union makes us believe that he could be the man at left back for Rangers – depending on a departure.
