Rangers are looking all over the globe for potential new additions but Nils Koppen’s net is still being cast just across the border.
Arsenal’s Reuell Walters is said to be on the recruitment chief’s radar, but it is a name that has emerged before that has seen an update to their situation.
It is a path that Rangers have walked before when they have dipped their toes into the Premier League’s Bosman market with Ben Johnson’s future looking a little clearer after weeks of speculation.
Rangers in Ben Johnson blow as favourites for signature named
The West Ham United defender is looking for more regular playing time with a move to Ibrox said to be a possibility.
Capable of playing at full-back, centre-half or as a defensive midfielder, the comparisons to Dujon Sterling are easy to make.
On a free transfer, it could be something of a coup, however, GiveMeSport has claimed that it could be a fight to land his signature.
They claim that West Ham have accepted defeat in trying to keep Johnson but that staying in the Premier League remains a distinct possibility.
Crystal Palace are leading the chase with Southampton not far behind on the caveat that Kyle Walker-Peters is sold.
Not exactly two massive clubs, however, they both have wage budgets that can far outweigh that of Koppen when trying to balance the books.
Philippe Clement has clear transfer plan for Rangers rebuild
Speaking about this summer’s business, Philippe Clement is adamant that money isn’t everything though:
“We know we have less money than our competition because they have more money and they have Champions League money now. So, we need to be more inventive, the recruitment needs to be more inventive.
“If your opponent has more money and can spend more you have to work better. That needs to be the challenge to make things better. We have to find better players for cheaper prices.
“It’s not always the player that costs more who at the end has the highest value.”
There have been a lot of players approaching the end of their contracts that have been linked.
Thomas Galdames and Damian Garcia can both sign pre-contract agreements in the summer and Walters, like Johnson, is out of contract now.
As Clement said, Rangers need to be inventive and work smarter not just spend more money.
Rangers will already know what sort of weekly wage Ben Johnson wants, if it is out with their budget, they will simply move on to the next name on the list.
Whether we like it or not, Rangers place in the food chain is nowhere near as high as it used to be except on the rare occasions when players like Sterling see rank prestige above their pay packet.
