Rangers have finally agreed a deal to sign FK Partizan Belgrade captain Vanja Dragojevic, with the midfielder flying into Glasgow on Thursday to undergo his medical.
The breakthrough comes after weeks of intense negotiations. Rangers had an initial £3.8million bid rejected in the first week of July.
While they later returned with an improved offer of £4.3m plus a seven per cent sell-on clause, the Serbian giants continued to hold firm on their £4.7m valuation.
With the player placed under a special regime and kept completely out of Partizan’s pre-season matches to protect his fitness, all signs pointed toward a quick transfer.
However, the discussions appeared to have gone quiet at one point, while Dragojevic returned to action for Partizan.
Finally, the two clubs have ironed out a deal that suits all parties.
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The money is there to be spent!
How Rangers bypassed Dragojevic’s £12.7m release clause
When former Real Madrid striker Predrag Mijatovic took over as the vice president of sporting affairs at Partizan in 2024, he took steps to protect his brightest young stars.
Dragojevic was among the players who had a whopping €15m (£12.7m) release clause inserted into his contract, according to Serbian outlet Mozzart Sport.
However, given the deep financial crisis currently engulfing Partizan, holding out for that astronomical figure was simply not an option.
Rangers have managed to bypass the clause entirely, striking a significantly reduced agreement structured as follows:
The Andrew Cavenagh-led club will pay an initial, fixed fee of £4.2m, with an additional £500,000 tied up in achievable add-ons.
Partizan have also protected themselves in the long run by retaining a 10 per cent sell-on clause for any future transfer from Ibrox.
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Financial salvation for Partizan
While Rangers fans celebrate securing one of the most promising young defensive anchors in Eastern Europe, the mood in Belgrade is one of pure relief.
According to a report from Telegraf in Serbia, the cash influx is an absolute lifeline for Partizan.
The club are currently enduring severe financial hardship and struggling to cover daily, regular existential obligations.
By pushing through this deal, Partizan’s hierarchy will immediately direct a portion of the incoming £4.2m to clear urgent debts and secure the necessary liquidity to continue active business in the transfer market.
Furthermore, the Belgrade media notes that this transfer is a massive advertisement for the club.
Despite the difficult times, Partizan have proven once again that their brand is alive and well, showing young prospects that a single, standout year in Belgrade is enough to earn a life-changing move to a giant like Rangers.
Dragojevic will be in the air today, and the Ibrox faithful will not have to wait much longer to see their new midfield star holding the light blue shirt.
