Back in November, while acting as the interim chairman at Ibrox, John Gilligan claimed that Rangers boss Philippe Clement would have money to spend during the January transfer window.
But how much money, is the question?
Enough to make wholesale changes, or maybe only to bring in the odd cut-price addition? Enough to pay loan fees – some have suggested Rangers may be restricted to short-term, temporary deals – or enough to bring in a new centre-forward? One who simply cannot stop scoring throughout 2024/25?
That, of course, remains to be seen.
Philippe Clement was coy on the subject of winter signings when quizzed ahead of Rangers’ hosting of Dundee on Sunday – ‘those are discussions [to be taken] with the board’, he said – but the noises from outside of Ibrox suggest that a couple of targets have been identified.
Rangers News can exclusively reveal that Rangers are watching NK Osijek midfielder Marko Soldo closely. The Croatia Under 21 international could cost just £2.5 million.
That, funnily enough, is almost identical to the fee Rangers are rumoured to be putting on the table for Iqraam Rayners. At least, that is according to claims coming out of South Africa.
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Rangers are reportedly offering £2.4m for Iqraam Rayners
The Bafana Bafana international took his tally to 12 goals in 16 games when he scored the winner for Mamelodi Sundowns against former employers Stellenbosch in midweek.
And after South African publication Soccer Laduma stated that Rangers were watching the late-blooming frontman, further reports have shone some light on the sort of finances which could be involved in any potential deal.
“It is true the offer is there, and it is around 55 million Rand,” a source close to the Mamelodi Sundowns are alleged to have told Soccer Laduma a few days ago.
55 million Rand, by the way, translates to £2.4 million.
“It doesn’t mean that the offer Rangers have tabled is the final one,” another insider points out, suggesting that another, larger bid could arrive should the Sundowns decide to shoot down the opening one.
“Any deal remains in the hands of the Sundowns as they have the final say. But, as things stand now, they are not ready to let their top striker go just after signing him tis season. Even though the 55 million Rand offer is there, it is not clear cut that a deal would happen.”
Cyriel Dessers linked with France move as Rangers eye Rayners
It is alleged that Rangers looked at Rayners, in the form of his life at the age of 29, before he swapped Stellenbosch for Mamelodi Sundowns over the summer.
Rangers would snap up Hamza Igamane instead, fighting off Qatari competition for the Morocco youth star.
Should Rayners arrive in Glasgow in the New Year – and that is far from certain given that Sundowns have title aspirations – there is a chance he will replace the club’s current number nine.
Cyriel Dessers could head to France with St Etienne, although the Ligue 1 newcomers are prioritising younger options as things stand.
Rayners, meanwhile, appears to share Dessers’ tendency to score goals in bursts rather than to spread them around across a campaign. Rayners hit five in one match in South Africa last season. Only the second player in the country ever to do so.
Yet, in his other 38 matches that season, he found the net only 12 times.
