Rangers used to conduct transfer business from some of the top clubs in Europe but shopping in the second tier of the top five leagues is the way ahead.
There are plenty of good sides, with good players that get relegated – look at Southampton – with bargains to be had.
Financial fair play has seen “bigger” clubs look elsewhere and AC Millan’s reported €10m interest in Georges Mikautadze of Metz is a great example of what Rangers are up against in the transfer market.
A look at the Ligue 2 top goalscorers list sees the Georgian international with 23 goals, below him are some familiar names – Josh Maja and Jean-Phillipe Krasso.
Mikautadze, at 22-years old, has a bright future but it is another indication of the inflation of fees.
Rangers transfer plan harder than it’s ever been
Rangers will either need to discover someone very special before they become famous or secure transfer targets who are out of contract.
Maja was once said to be a £6m target for Rangers, Krasso has also been a seven-figure target in the past.
When players of this quality are available for free, they are always worth the gamble.
There are strikers like Mikautadze all over the continent at second tier clubs, scoring goals for fun.
Then there are the ones that aren’t in a top five league but ones on a par with the Scottish Premiership.
Rangers fans only need to look down south to see how ridiculous the transfer fees can be for even an average striker.
Nicolas Krstovic, Petar Ratkov, Sydney van Hooijdonk and Tasos Douvikas are strikers that could be on the move when the window opens.
All have had good season and all are in our price range.
Mikautadze might be out our reach but there is quality available at a bargain price – if we look hard enough.
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