Philippe Clement has spoken openly about Rangers needing to add increased robustness and physicality to the squad this summer.
But at the same time Rangers need additional quality if they’re to wrestle back the Scottish Premiership crown from Old Firm rivals Celtic.
The middle of the pitch is one area where Rangers are in dire need of added experience and it’s little wonder we’ve seen a number of links to midfield enforcers.
Now, a leading Italian journalist has claimed Rangers have made tentative enquires about a Champions League international who made his European debut at Celtic Park.
Rangers linked to Niasse
Cheikh Niasse is unlikely to be a name familiar to many Rangers supporters.
But the 24-year old Senegalese international is the latest name being linked with a move to Ibrox this summer.
Currently turning out for Swiss Super League champions Young Boys, Niasse started all six of the club’s Champions League group stage games last season.
Playing against Manchester City, RB Leipzig and Red Star Belgrade, the 6ft2 midfielder has experience at the top level.
Cheikh also played a key role in the Swiss side regaining their title last season, making 30 appearances for the club on league duties.
Having joined Young Boys back in the winter of 2022, Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari claims that Rangers have enquired for Cheikh Niasse this summer.
This comes after the reputable Sport Italia journalist had linked Niasse with a move to Serie A side Udinese.
Gers on midfield transfer hunt
Cheikh Niasse isn’t the only midfielder being linked with a move to Rangers this summer.
The Ibrox side have lost the experience of John Lundstram and Ryan Jack at the end of their contracts with only Connor Barron coming into the middle of the pitch.
With an injury to Nicolas Raskin yet to be assessed, it’s an area of the squad badly in need of reinforcements.
Rangers have been linked to Scotland international Kenny McLean and Sevilla star Joan Jordan in the middle of the park.
But these latest links to Cheikh Niasse will be of interest to Rangers fans as the club looks to strengthen the midfield area.
A defensive midfielder who has experience playing in Greece with Panathinaikos, Niasse came through the youth ranks at French club Boulogne before moving to Lille as a 16-year-old.
Interestingly, the Senegalese international made his European debut at the home of Old Firm rivals Celtic.
Back in December 2020, Niasse came off the bench for Lille as the French side were defeated 3-2 in a Europa League dead rubber at Celtic Park.
