There have been fresh reports in Greece that Rangers are readying a bid for Utrecht striker Tasos Douvikas – but Old Firm rivals Celtic are also being mentioned.
According to Nova Sports, Tasos Douvikas is on the Rangers “transfer list” ahead of the summer window opening, with his 20 goals for Utrecht turning Ibrox heads this season.
Leading the Eredivisie scoring charts with 18 strikes in the division this season, the story claims that Rangers would have to pay £6m (€7m) to bring Tasos Douvikas to Ibrox next season.
The report also mentions links to Old Firm rivals Celtic, who are hoping to use high-profile Greek goalkeeping flop Vasilis Barkas as a makeweight in any deal.
Familiar Celtic name at centre of links
Celtic negotiated a £5m deal to sign Barkas back in the summer of 2020, but the stopper’s poor form played a big role in Rangers securing 55 and halting the Parkhead side’s hunt for 10IAR.
Despite being highly-rated, Barkas was farmed out on loan to Utrecht this season and, according to reports, the Parkhead side are hoping to use the goalkeeper as a makeweight in any Douvikas deal.
It is not the first time Rangers have been linked to Douvikas, with those claims about potential Celtic interest and Barkas swap deal also doing the rounds this week.
Interestingly, the fact the fresh Greek report quotes a £6m fee is a boost to Rangers supporters who have been following the links to the 23-year-old striker.
Utrecht director Jordy Zuidam had previously claimed the Dutch club were looking to rake in around €12m (£10m) in transfer fees this summer with Douvikas – who is under contract until 2025 – namedropped.
While we imagine this would be made up from several sales, it potentially points to a substantial slice of this being made up from the sale of the Greek striker.
Rangers will have to shell out for Tasos Douvikas
The reported fee of £6m might appear hefty, but Rangers boss Michael Beale has been clear only this week that the Ibrox side will have to pay if they want to sign a top striker.
This comes with Alfredo Morelos leaving the club and doubts surrounding the suitability of both Antonio Colak and Kemar Roofe, albeit for differing reasons.
“I’ve been thinking about it [who will replace Alfredo Morelos] since November,” said Beale ahead of the final home game of the season against Hearts at Ibrox.
“So I’ve had a lot of time to think and ponder, 27 games as well. You look at your team and you think maybe ‘what is missing, where do we need to go now, what type of energy, what type of striker will help us?’
“Good strikers cost quite a bit of money, so we’re away and very much down the line with some of our thinking on that.”
It suggests that Rangers are ready to invest in the position this summer and let’s keep an eye on Douvikas, even if our rivals have also been mentioned.