As Rangers look to become one of Europe’s most efficient recruiters, there is no shortage of examples for Nils Koppen, Patrick Stewart and co to take inspiration from.
Borussia Dortmund reached a pair of Champions League finals, over a decade apart, while bringing the likes of Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski, Mats Hummels and Karim Adeyemi to Signal Iduna Park long before they were household names.
Monaco came within touching distance of European glory themselves before cashing in big on Bernardo Silva, Fabinho, Tiemoue Bakayoko and more.
Red Bull Salzburg, meanwhile, became the dominant force of Austrian football make making considerable profits with Dominik Szoboszlai, Brenden Aaronson, Takumi Minamino, Sadio Mane and the aforementioned Haaland.
Of course, Salzburg have benefitted from an advantage Rangers cannot emulate. The clue is in the name; Red Bull.
But the Glasgow giants themselves also enjoy the sort of pulling power most clubs with a similar budget can only dream of. The promise of European football, a shot at silverware, and the chance to play in one of the continent’s most revered stadiums.
Lille loanee Rafael Fernandes rejected clubs in Germany and France to join Rangers from AC Milan. Hamza Igamane turned down a move to Qatar after talking to Philippe Clement.
And who knows what would have happened if Rangers had made their move for Yorbe Vertessen that little bit earlier in the winter of 2025.
Red Bull Salzburg beat Rangers to Yorbe Vertessen
Rangers failed to hi-jack Vertessen’s switch from Union Berlin to Red Bull Salzburg on the final day of the January window. The Austrian outfit had a deal pretty much tied up to the tune of £3.3 million by the time the Gers made their move.
Two weeks on, the club’s managing director of sport, Rouven Schroder, opened up on the thinking behind their four million euro acquisition of the former PSV Eindhoven starlet.
Vertessen, he says, is a trademark Red Bull Salzburg signing; young, with potential to get a whole lot better, and someone who could depart later down the line for a more high-profile league and for a considerable sum.
Funnily enough, that is the category of player Rangers are also prioritising these days.
“The winter transfer window is special,” Schroder tells 90 Minuten, explaining the kind of restrictions clubs like Salzburg and Rangers face while also needing to fulfil the expectations of a demanding fanbase.
“We always have to look; Who is available? Who fits in budget-wise? Who fits in athletically and in terms of character?
“With Yorbe Vertessen, we are 100 per cent convinced that he will be a valuable player. At 24, he is a relatively young guy who we brought in below market value and who is completely committed to us.”
Salzburg and Rangers are operating on a similar transfer policy
“Signing Vertessen for four million euros in the winter is a clear promise for the future,” Schroder adds.
“If some fans actually expect us to spend 10 or 15 million euros in the transfer market, that is not the strategy that has distinguished us for years. We have always been distinguished by qualities such as early recognition [of talent], scouting, good purchasing, and selling on at a higher price.
“And we have also won an enormous number of titles. But we are not a club where you normally end your career. We cannot and do not want to constantly pay 15 million euros in transfer fees.”
A speedy, versatile if far-from-prolific forward, Vertessen could have filled the left-sided role in which Rangers have had a few issues this season. Nedim Bajrami has been hit and miss, Oscar Cortes remains out through injury, and Rabbi Matondo left on loan to Hannover.
Vertessen provided a first Salzburg assist, meanwhile, in the 1-1 draw with WSG Tirol over the weekend.
