Rangers star Nikola Katic is edging closer to the Ibrox exit door – with the defender set to join FC Zurich over Maccabi Haifa.
The 25-year-old Croatian centre-back has seen his Ibrox career pegged back by a serious cruciate ligament injury in the summer of 2020 and spent last season on loan with Hajduk Split in his homeland.
After returning to the club this summer it’s clear the defender is not fancied by Giovanni van Bronckhorst with the Dutchman preferring James Sands amid a dearth of centre-back options.
Even with Filip Helander, John Souttar, and Ben Davies all out for a variety of reasons, the fact Nikola Katic cannot get into the Rangers team is a surefire sign the axe is set to fall.
But the question now is where to with Nikola Katic undoubtedly a solid defender and someone who could do a job for a variety of teams around Europe.
Rangers’ Nikola Katic set for Zurich switch
Reports earlier in the week from the Glasgow Times had claimed that Champions League outfit Maccabi Haifa had made an inquiry for the player.
The Israeli outfit face a competitive Champions League group stage campaign against the likes of PSG, Juventus and Benfica with Maccabi said to have enquired about a loan and permanent move.
However, despite the interest from a Champions League team, reports in the player’s homeland are claiming that Nikola Katic is set for a move to Swiss champions FC Zurich.
The Swiss side have just dumped Premiership rivals Hearts to qualify for the Europa League group stages and according to Germanijak the defender is set to complete the switch.
The report claims that the details regarding the deal are not yet known but that Nikola Katic could make his Zurich debut in their weekend fixture against Lugano.
It is a solid move for Nikola Katic, with Zurich also involved in a competitive Europa League group where they will play Arsenal, Bodo Glimt and PSV Eindhoven.
Rangers defender Nikola Katic was signed from Croatian HNL.1 side Slaven Belupo on a reported £2m deal by Steven Gerrard in 2018 [Sky Sports].
A fan favourite during his time at Ibrox, Nikola Katic has made 59 appearances for the club and famously scored the winner in that 2-1 victory at Celtic Park in 2019.
Speaking of players who’re leaving Ibrox in this window, Rangers have already confirmed the exit of one youth international this week.
