The manager of PAOK hinted Rangers’ pursuit of Croatian striker Antonio Colak is edging closer as the Greek club try to source a replacement.
Sky Sports reported yesterday that Rangers had made a £1.8m bid for the 28-year-old forward with Colak keen on the move to Ibrox.
This comes after much conjecture surrounding reported interest in the player which has slowly rumbled in the press all week.
If the report is accurate, Rangers also appear to be reinvesting the reported £1.5m BSC Young Boys paid to sign Cedric Itten earlier in the summer.
This would represent a £300k net spend on the forward and potentially shrewd business from sporting director Ross Wilson.
PAOK boss hints Rangers move for Antonio Colak is close
Amid reports that Rangers have launched a bid to sign the player, POAK manager Razvan Lucescu has confirmed that a satisfactory offer has been lodged for the striker.
The Romanian coach also claimed that Antonio Colak was keen on the move but hinted that PAOK will need to sign a replacement before any deal can be done.
The comments also suggest that Rangers fans will need to wait to see Antonio Colak announced at Ibrox as PAOK scour the market for a suitable alternative.
“I can tell you I know about an offer for Antonio from a good club that for him could be important,” said Lucescu [Rangers Review].
“At the same time if Antonio leaves in the next few days it’s a problem as it leaves us with one striker.
“The official games are coming soon and it’s not easy to bring in new players. You need time. Time for negotiations, money, players that are available and not, players that have chemistry with us.
“So these are the two aspects and they are not so easy to be solved. From Antonio and from us.”
Rangers fans are already well familiar with Antonio Colak, with the striker netting an Ibrox double to knock the Gers out of Champions League qualification last season whilst on loan at Malmo.
In total the forward netted 19 goals for the Swedish champions and the Croatian international will follow in the footsteps of ex-Ibrox Croat forwards Dado Prso and Nikica Jelavic if he signs with the club.
Meanwhile, a former Rangers coach’s claims regarding a Dutch defender highlight the tight-lipped transfer dealings at Ibrox.
