He may be putting little importance on a transfer at the moment but that does not mean one of the most improved young midfielders in Europe is not still flattered by Rangers’ interest.
Back in December, Rangers News exclusively reported, via football correspondent Graeme Bailey, that Rangers had taken a shine to NK Osijek starlet Marko Soldo.
The Croatia Under 21 international is a classic case of a footballer who has found his home in a new position. OK, Soldo’s transformation from a deep-lying midfielder into a box-crashing number eight or number ten has not been quite as spectacular as, say, Gareth Bale’s emergence from a luckless left-back into a rampaging winger, but the results have still been pretty eye-opening.
Marko Soldo has six goals and four assists this season. A career-best return in either category, and the Croatian league season is only halfway over.
Interest was always likely to arise then. Particularly as Croatia have quite the habit of mass-producing top-level midfield talent.
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Marko Soldo reacts to Rangers interest as he plays down January exit
In addition to Rangers, La Liga outfit Real Betis have shown an interest. Dinamo Zagreb, where he rose through the ranks a la Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic, also have the option to buy Soldo back despite only recently selling him to Osijek for 400,000 euros.
Dinamo have until mid-March to exercise that clause.
Soldo is aware of the interest from abroad, meanwhile, and flattered by it too. Not that he is putting much thought into leaving the Opus Arena half a year into a contract which runs until the summer of 2027.
“All these stories about interest from foreign clubs are just confirmation for me that I have a quality half-season behind me,” a self-confident Soldo tells Glas Slavonije. “I am investing a lot in myself, working hard. [This] is gradually paying off.
“The interest from foreign clubs is just an additional motivation to continue on the path I have taken, primarily when it comes to work. As far as Dinamo is concerned, there is a clause according to which they can bring me back by a certain date and with compensation, but I am not burdened by that at all.
“I am enjoying Osijek. I have really settled in well. The team, working conditions and environment are excellent so, at the moment, I really have no reason to think about leaving.”
Soldo is understood to be valued at around £2.5 million. And while he is clearly not keen to leave in January, he is not ruling out a summer exit. Interestingly, keeping the door ever so slightly ajar to his growing throng of suitors.
Rangers still have a chance as Croatia U21 star looks to the summer
“Until the summer, I am clear-headed and focused only on the club’s goals,” Soldo adds. “Then, we will see what will happen. When we draw the line under this season, we will think about what and how to do next.
“I agree that last autumn was the best of my career. I think I improved in all areas, and the statistics confirm this. However, it is more important to me that I made a step forward in terms of the game itself.
“Overall, I am satisfied because it was precisely because of my progress that I decided to come to Osijek.”
Soldo feels he has become a more ‘complete player’ at his current employers. The Croatian media have highlighted Soldo’s ‘extremely powerful’ athleticism too, in addition to his towering 6ft 1ins frame and his ability to motor from one box to another while barely breaking sweat.
In that sense, Soldo would bring a different, more dynamic dimension to Rangers should he arrive at Ibrox somewhere down the line.
As things stand, however, Dundee’s Lyall Cameron appears the most likely Rangers addition in the midfield department.
