Rangers fans know that in football there are just some divides you never cross, but Michy Batshuayi doesn’t seem to have gotten the memo.
The big Belgian striker has carved out quite the career for himself via Standard Liege, Valencia, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and now Fenerbahce in Turkey.
Rewind to the January transfer window and you’ll remember Rangers being strongly linked with a stunning move for Michy Batshuayi as his contract ticked down.
But whilst those links were quickly rubbished in leading Rangers media circles, it was too late to stop fans dreaming of the Belgian hitman leading the line at Ibrox.
Heading back into the summer there hasn’t been anything to suggest Rangers might resurrect their reported interest, even if Batshuayi’s contract has now expired at Fenerbahce.
But if reports in Turkey are to be believed then the 30-year-old forward is potentially on the verge of doing the unthinkable in Istanbul.
Batshuayi has two offers on the table
If there is one cardinal sin in Scottish football, it’s a Rangers or Celtic player crossing the Old Firm divide.
Several have done it – most notably Mo Johnston and Kenny Miller – but it’s a decision which is guaranteed to send shockwaves through the entire country.
Very rarely – in fact only in the case of youth players – will a player directly swap one side of Glasgow for the other.
If there is a footballing equivalent of the Old Firm on the continent of Europe, you can probably find it in Belgrade or Istanbul.
Partizan and Red Star live by the same rules in the modern era, as do Galastaray and Fenerbahce.
And yet Michy Batshuayi is seriously mulling over a dramatic switch across the city to current Turkish champions Galatasaray, a scenario where he’d turn down Fenerbahce in the process.
As explained by reputable Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, Batshuayi has a three year deal on the table from both of the Super Lig’s biggest clubs.
Rangers fans probably want the striker to move across the city right enough.
With Jose Mourinho taking over at Fenerbahce, the legendary Portuguese manager and his new team are potential Champions League qualifying opponents.
The Special One is also reportedly battling Rangers in the hunt for one high-profile transfer target.
Rangers striker hunt continues
Whilst Michy Batshuayi won’t be joining Rangers this summer, the striker could be about to make massive headlines in Turkey.
Rangers are however believed to be on the hunt for additional firepower with one leading insider suggesting the Gers are targeting two new strikers this summer.
There is plenty of speculation as to who that might be with the club reportedly closing in on a deal for Moroccan talent Hamza Igamane.
The Gers have also been strongly linked with a move for Kosovan striker Albion Rrahmani, even despite Rapid Bucharest knocking back a bid this week.
To top things off, one Euro 2024 hitman who was strongly linked to Rangers last season has also once again popped up in the press.
