Rangers and their hopes of landing a sudden summer financial windfall have been dealt a reality check despite former winger Rabbi Matondo closing in on a move to Sheffield United.
The Wales international has endured a thoroughly miserable time in Scandinavia since completely severing ties with the Light Blues in March.
Matondo was allowed to leave Ibrox on a free transfer to join Norwegian Eliteserien outfit SK Brann earlier this year, with the Glasgow giants banking no upfront fee in exchange for future add-ons and bonuses.
However, his time in Bergen is already coming to a premature end. Norwegian regional newspaper Bergensavisen has confirmed that Matondo is already in England training with Sheffield United ahead of a potential transfer.
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The Sheffield United reality check
While the news may spark optimism among the Ibrox faithful that the club could recoup some money through their structural sell-on agreement, the cold reality of the deal suggests otherwise.
Matondo has been an absolute ghost for Brann since making the switch. The 25-year-old has managed a meagre three substitute appearances, clocking up just 30 minutes of football.
Having sat as an unused substitute on seven separate occasions, the hierarchy in Bergen have already deemed him entirely surplus to requirements.
Because of his total failure to launch in Norway, Brann are understandably desperate just to clear his salary off their wage bill.
Why Rangers miss out
This creates a massive roadblock for any potential Ibrox windfall. Since Brann are eager to get him off the books, they are highly unlikely to demand any sort of significant, lucrative transfer fee from Sheffield United that would trigger Rangers‘ bonus clauses.
Instead, the Norwegian side are likely to facilitate a free transfer package just to cut their losses on an experiment that yielded only 30 minutes of competitive action.
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While it is positive to see Matondo moving back into the English pyramid, the financial blueprint of this deal means Derek McInnes‘ current transfer war chest will receive virtually no assistance from South Yorkshire.
This comes amid Rangers’ own search for a new wide attacker, with technical director Dan Purdy informed of McInnes’ desire to strengthen that area.
While a move for Vaclav Cerny is not on the cards, the Gers are seemingly prepared to use a big chunk of their remaining summer budget on a new winger as they prepare for life under McInnes.
