Rangers have promised fans that the club are set fortify the player trading foundation at Ibrox.
Speaking after the release of the club’s latest accounts, the Rangers board are in unanimous contention that the club must focus on developing and selling assets.
Club chairman John Bennett reiterated this in a statement on the accounts whilst nodding to an imminent Director of Football appointment.
Whoever comes into the job has to try and make the Ibrox club’s player trading model as efficient as possible and here we look at the five players who are currently Rangers’ most sellable assets.
Rangers player trading assets
Jack Butland
The notion that the club’s player trading model might kick into action around Super Jack Butland in Goal is a daunting one for Rangers fans.
Already having grown attached to the 30-year-old former England international stopper, we reckon Rangers will do well to hang on to the form keeper beyond next summer.
Signed on a four-year deal by Michael Beale, Rangers really got a bargain for the goalkeeper who looks every inch a Premier League stopper and potential England number one.
Links to Birmingham City are also probably the least Rangers will have to worry about with this well below the stopper’s level.
English-trained and still young for a goalkeeper, if the Premier League comes knocking Rangers can demand a fair price.
Contracted until: 2027
Nicolas Raskin
Signed in January from Standard Liege in Belgium, Rangers are said to have pulled off something of a coup in Nicolas Raskin.
Wherever the Belgian U21 international moved after Standard was always going to be key in his career and Rangers have seen flashes of the footballer linked to some of Europe’s top clubs.
Barcelona were even mentioned in dispatches by European journalists and Roberto Martinez – a former Belgium manager – has tipped the kid for the top.
Nicolas Raskin has been clear that he wants to reach the pinnacle of football too, with the Premier League and Chelsea in his sights.
The top clubs know all about the top talents but as we’ve seen so often it’s about transferring that potential onto the pitch to prove you can cut it with the big boys.
Ibrox is a monumental stage for any player to win big and if the club can do so with Nicolas Raskin, then those managing Rangers’ player trading model will be very happy indeed.
Contracted until: 2027
Todd Cantwell
Signed in the same window as Nicolas Raskin, ex-Norwich City midfielder Todd Cantwell was once the blue-eyed boy of Premier League football.
At times at Rangers he’s looked like he could be the blue-eyed boy of Ibrox too.
There is genuine, enigmatic talent within the Rangers playmaker who has at times inspired and frustrated in equal measure.
Once tipped for the very top of the Premier League – and valued at £50m as a youngster at Carrow Road – the move to Rangers has offered to restart Todd Cantwell’s career.
Everyone at Rangers believes in the 25-year-old who has a real opportunity to be our talisman and to make us a pretty penny in player trading too.
Whilst there are still plenty of kinks to be ironed out when it comes to this complex young talent if manager Philippe Clement can do so we will bank big.
English trained and an attacking player who influences things at the top end of the park, it’s up to Todd Cantwell as to how his story ends.
Contracted until: 2027
Jose Cifuentes
I can almost hear the splutter of tea from lurking rival supporters – or maybe some of our own – that I’d even suggest Jose Cifuentes as a player trading asset for Rangers.
After all, since joining the club from MLS side LAFC in the summer, the Ecuadorean international has barely kicked a ball and in his limited minutes has either looked composed in the middle of the pitch or like a rabbit in the headlights.
But there is a reason why Jose Cifuentes was popping up on Premier League radars ever since his time in Ecuador, with Manchester City reportedly early suitors.
Amid links to Newcastle United and Brighton, Rangers were said to have pipped Premier League opposition to sign the midfielder in the summer
An Ecuador World Cup star who has everything in front of him if he can find his feet and form at Rangers, something tells us this is very much only the beginning for Jose Cifuentes at the club.
A combination of that Ecuadorean pedigree and watching Premier League interest makes him a player trading asset if the powers that be at Rangers can help him shine.
Contracted until: 2027
Danilo
Of course, no Rangers player trading list would be complete without the club’s masked man and current fan favourite Danilo.
The 24-year-old Rangers striker had an abrupt welcome to Scottish football when, after struggling to make the team, he fractured his cheekbone against St Johnstone.
But since returning to the Rangers squad Danilo has looked every inch the exciting Brazilian forward the club’s fans were looking for after a summer move from Feyenoord.
Costing a reported £6m, Rangers likely won’t be eager to sell the forward on the cheap either and the club’s fans also wouldn’t like to see that happen for quite some time yet.
A natural goalscorer who looks comfortable finishing with both feet and his head, Rangers have potentially got their answer to Kyogo across the city and the early signs are very encouraging.
Danilo’s level is much higher than Scotland – as two successful stint in the Netherlands have shown – but can Rangers help elevate the forward to the next level in football?
Contracted until: 2028
