Philippe Clement is working tirelessly alongside Nils Koppen to try and bring new and better players to Rangers.
The manager appreciates that bodies need to be moved out of Ibrox but that doesn’t mean that new recruits can’t be lined up.
One area in particular needs to be strengthened with Rangers pre-season friendlies highlighting a severe lack of quality on the wings.
Rangers up against it as Philippe Clement looks for quality
The Gers boss has spoken about the prospect of Abdallah Sima returning to Glasgow and there is a degree of positivity.
The player wants the move, as do Rangers.
Finances were always going to dictate any possibility of a deal but, with just a year left on his contract, Brighton shouldn’t be too hard to deal with.
With 11 goals in 24 Premiership appearances, it’s clear to see why Clement would want to sign someone who has proven what they are capable of, even if their injury history is a cause for concern.
The manager has been clear though, there isn’t a blank cheque or a magic wand that can be waved:
“That’s the reality that the board told me a few months ago. I know this, the recruitment team knows this also.
“This is the reality of the club. I had other expectations when I came in in October, I have to say. But I know the reality now. I am very motivated to build the club and help in that.”
In short, he has to get creative.
Bosman deals are one way to minimise costs, another is by searching for players who are out of favour at their parent clubs.
Michael Beale had a bad habit of signing individuals who hadn’t shown any form for years or who had injury problems, gambling that he could get the best out of them and keep them hit.
He lost his job because he failed on both counts.
Rangers should have cut-price winger move lined up
One player Clement should consider is a familiar name to Rangers fans – Ola Solbakken.
Linked in the past, the 6ft 1inch tall winger was prolific at Bodo/Glimt and tore Celtic apart both at home and abroad in the Europa Conference League.
His pace, dribbling power and creativity was too much to handle and why Steven Gerrard didn’t push to land the Norway international on a Bosman is confusing to say the least.
Now 24-years old, Solbakken is struggling with Roma in Serie A and has been unable to produce the sort of numbers that saw him rise to prominence.
Two loan spells last season at Olympiakos – where there was a £4m option to buy clause – and then to Japan with Urawa Reds proved unsuccessful.
Italian media outlet La Repubblica has claimed that Solbakken has been deemed surplus to requirements with Malmo having been priced out due to wage demands despite the player hoping to stay in Serie A.
Malmo having signed his former Bodo/Glimt teammate Erik Botheim, another linked to Rangers, with the striker on fire at the Swedes.
Clement missed out on a cut-price move for Botheim, however, the chance to sign Solbakken wouldn’t break the bank either and it is one that should be considered.
