Transfer News

Rangers face battle with Southampton for £8.75m striker

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Rangers have been linked with a deal for Antalyaspor striker Haji Wright as Michael Beale chases a new centre forward.

That is according to claims from Turkish newspaper Milliyet, who suggest that Rangers have made a ‘surprise’ transfer offer for Wright.

It’s suggested that whilst Fenerbahce and Galatasaray have been keen on Wright, it’s Rangers who have made a ‘surprise offer’.

The report states that Rangers have offered up £7million plus a 15% sell-on clause in the hope of tempting Antalyaspor to sell.

However, Antalyaspor rejected the proposal and suggest it will take at least €10million (£8.75million) to sign Wright this summer.

Rangers would surely struggle to pay that kind of money and it’s now hard to see Wright heading to Ibrox.

The 25-year-old has been something of a nomad, start out in his native America before joining the Schalke ranks in 2017.

After a goalless season in the Netherlands with VVV-Venlo, Wright headed to Denmark with SonderjyskE.

Good form there sparked Antalyaspor’s interest and Wright now has 31 goals in 61 games for the Turkish club.

A big, physical striker at 6ft 3in tall, Wright has also bagged seven caps for the United States and scored at the World Cup in Qatar.

Fraport TAV Antalyaspor v Yukatel Kayserispor - Turkish Super Lig
Photo by Orhan Cicek/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Rangers would face Southampton battle for Haji Wright

Turkish reports can be a little hit-and-miss at the best of times, so a pinch of salt may be needed here.

Rangers do need a striker or two though and Wright would certainly be an exciting capture.

The fee is a problem for Rangers and so is potential interest from elsewhere too.

The Daily Mail reported earlier this week that Southampton have been watching Wright ahead of a possible summer move.

The Saints are on the verge of relegation to the Championship and are looking for a striker to smash the goals in next season.

Wright could be their man and they may well be able to spend a little more than Rangers can this summer.

Rangers may hold out some hope of structuring a deal for Wright but Gers fans would be forgiven for thinking that this one just won’t happen.