Rangers have reportedly been offered the opportunity to sign former West Bromwich Albion defender Ahmed Hegazy with the Egypt international out of favour at Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ittihad.
Whether they will seize such a chance, however, remains to be seen.
When all are fit and available, Rangers have an impressive array of central defenders at their disposal. Conor Goldson, Leon Balogun, John Souttar and Ben Davies all available to head coach Philippe Clement.
Reports linking Rangers with a move for Hammarby’s Nathaniel Adjei, however, suggests that defensive reinforcements are still under consideration heading into the January window. The Glasgow giants ‘have been offered the chance to sign’ Hegazy now too. Though, at 32, he is a decade older than Adjei, and would be little more than a short-term addition.
Rangers offered Ahmed Hegazy chacne
Hegazy spent four years in England with West Brom between 2017 and 2021. The 6ft 4ins centre-half – who has played alongside the likes of Mo Salah and Karim Benzema for club and country – could now be in line for a return to the UK after losing his place in the Al-Ittihad XI.
TEAMtalk say that there is interest from Burnley, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough and Cardiff City. Rangers’ Old Firm neighbours Celtic have also been made aware of the experienced Egyptian’s availability.
“Ahmed is a great player,” former Belgium forward Nacer Chadli said of Hegazy during their time together at West Brom. “He is very strong in the air, and he has good skills. He is intelligent and can be very dangerous and can score goals.”
Will Clement sign a defender?
Hegazy, given his age and the fact he is out of favour at the Saudi Arabian champions, could be available for a cut-price fee in January. Swedish outfit Hammarby, meanwhile, are likely to demand in excess of £3.5 million for Adjei.
Then again, having only turned 21 in August, Adjei would still represent better value for money, his lack of experience offset by his undoubted potential.
