When Steven Gerrard was looking for a young playmaker to strengthen Rangers attack, Ianis Hagi wasn’t the only one targeted with Lovro Majer the other notable name mentioned.
Then, at Dinamo Zagreb, Rangers had been shopping in the Balkan market more frequently and a deal was considered on a number of occasions before the Croatian signed for Rennes.
Now, as a regular for his country, Wolfsburg are said to have bid over £15.5m with previously linked Rangers target Lovro Majer also attracting interest from Inter Milan, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
Majer moved to Ligue 1 in 2021 for £10m, by this point, the 25-year old was out of our price range.
With eight goals and 14 assists in France’s top flight, he hasn’t been as prolific as some expected, although, he isn’t exactly playing for one of Ligue 1’s big hitters.
At the time of Rangers interest, Croatian journalist Filip Mishov claimed that Gerrard was interested in bringing Majer and Mirko Maric to Glasgow but that a combined fee of £12m would be needed.
Majer has gone on to be exactly the type of player that the former Gers gaffer was looking for.
A creator who can operate in an attacking midfield role from deep or behind a striker and contribute where it matters.
The progress of Croatia’s national team has seen their talented youngsters hit with a premium though.
If a player can get into a team that goes deep in major tournaments on a regular basis then it will get reflected in their price tag.
This, again, highlights the importance of Rangers sourcing and recruiting players like Lovro Majer earlier, before they make their breakthrough move.
Ibrox has to become a stepping stone rather than a destination if we are to be competitive without the TV money that so many other countries leagues benefit from.
