If the Scottish transfer press has been accurate this summer, it’s been quite the window for new Rangers director of recruitment Nils Koppen.
The former PSV transfer guru has been in situ at Ibrox since the turn of the year and has been given the mandate to transform the Rangers squad into a young, hungry group of winners.
Given the rot that’s set in at times over the last few seasons, that’s no easy task.
Rangers have however struck some impressive deals this summer with the likes of Connor Barron, Jefte and Vaclav Cerny impressing already.
These names are supplemented by the January arrivals of Mohamed Diomande and Oscar Cortes, who are rated very highly by the coaching staff inside Auchenhowie.
Time will be the judge of inexperienced arrivals such as Hamza Igamane and Clinton Nsiala.
These are success stories made more impressive by the fact that Rangers are operating on a shoestring budget, a situation complicated by the much-maligned failure to qualify for the Champions League.
As a result of Rangers’ financial handicap, brought on by years of negligence with regards the squad, transfers have at times proven complicated for the Rangers recruitment board this summer.
Reports have suggested that Rangers have failed in the pursuit of no fewer than eight major targets for a multitude of reasons but the gaps in the squad remain and Koppen & co must change direction.
As a result Norwich City’s 21-year-old winger Abu Kamara is the latest name to be linked with the club; but Rangers could face competition.
Abu Kamara could be given Rangers left-wing chance
As we’ve explained, Nils Koppen is heading Rangers’ recruitment drive this summer with young, hungry players who will be trusted to play at the top of the agenda.
It will take time for Philippe Clement’s on-pitch vision to come into focus – the Belgian will be the first to admit as much – but it’s clear that left wing is a problem area in the squad.
Last season’s outfield player in the first half of last season, Rangers were pretty open about their hopes of re-signing Abdallah Sima this campaign.
But with Abdallah signing a season-long loan at Brest, attentions are now focused elsewhere.
Benfica’s Tiago Gouveia has been mentioned, as has Croatian winger Josip Brekalo, with the club even reportedly enquiring about Salernitana left-back Domagoj Bradaric.
Now, Abu Kamara’s name has started doing the rounds with Football Scotland suggesting Rangers are willing to pay £2m to give the England youth international a shot at the top level.
Whilst left-footed Kamara has spent the bulk of his career playing off the right, the forward can play across the front three.
Making his professional debut for Norwich City in 2023, Kamara impressed whilst on loan at Portsmouth last season with the promoted Championship side hoping to have him back.
’No movement’ on Morgan Whittaker mark II
It’s fair to say Abu Kamara was one of Portsmouth’s best players at they topped League One last season.
Netting ten goals and laying on 11 assists in 52 appearances across all competitions, it’s an impressive return in the player’s first season at a competitive level in a winning team.
Firing Pompey to promotion, the club’s manager John Mousinho has been talking about a potential return for Kamara this week.
Claiming that there’s been ‘no movement’ with regards a transfer, it’s clear Portsmouth would like Kamara back to help aid their Championship campaign.
“It’s the same spot, it’s the same spot with Abu,” Mousinho told Portsmouth News.
“I know he’s contracted at Norwich but we don’t mind speaking about him because he was here last year.
“We’re in exactly the same position with Abu as last week, there’s been no movement on that.”
The situation with Abu Kamara will remind Rangers fans of Morgan Whittaker.
Back in January 2023, Rangers had a bid turned down for then-Swansea winger Morgan Whittaker after he was recalled from Plymouth Argyle.
The winger had just lit up League One and the Welsh side called him back to aid their promotion push.
As it transpired, the decision interrupted Whittaker’s season and the winger barely kicked a ball for the Swans before heading back to Plymouth following their promotion last summer.
Last season, Whittaker scored 20 goals and Rangers reportedly returned earlier in the summer with a £7m bid, only to see it thrown out.
Plymouth have since warned Rangers off Whittaker by attaching a stiff asking price to the winger, who broke the club’s transfer record in a £1m switch 12 months ago.
With Abu Kamara very much a back-up at Norwich City, perhaps Rangers don’t want to see lightning strike twice.
