“Rangers’ Transfer Dilemma: Clement’s Overhaul Hinges on Offloading Big Earners”
The upcoming week looks to be a busy one for Rangers. Manager Philippe Clement is eager to continue his significant overhaul of the club by bringing in new signings, but this hinges on one key factor: offloading players.
Rangers are actively working to move players out of the club. Clement has acknowledged this, as there is a group of high-earning players who are not part of his short- or long-term plans. However, the challenge for the head coach is that there hasn’t been much interest in these players leaving Glasgow.
The futures of James Tavernier, Rabbi Matondo, and Cyriel Dessers have been the subject of speculation throughout the summer. Trabzonspor made an unsuccessful bid for the Rangers captain, and things have gone quiet on that front. Meanwhile, English Championship clubs Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers are reportedly considering a move for Matondo, a Welsh winger who has played regularly for Rangers but may not be part of Clement’s long-term vision. Dessers, who often leads the attack, has expressed his contentment at Rangers, despite interest from clubs like PAOK and Atlanta United.
The player drawing the most attention as the transfer window enters its final eight days is Ianis Hagi, the talented 25-year-old Romanian playmaker who hasn’t played for Rangers in over a year. His last appearance was in a 2-1 League Cup win against Morton, before being loaned to Alaves. Now back at Ibrox, Hagi finds himself out of favor and playing for the B team.
Hagi’s performances at the Euros this summer showcased his undeniable talent. He can play across the attacking midfield positions, has excellent vision, and is technically gifted. His displays for Romania, who reached the last 16, should have attracted interest from European clubs and perhaps even caught Clement’s eye. After all, the Belgian manager doesn’t have many playmakers at his disposal, with Tom Lawrence not impressing in the No. 10 role. Could Hagi be a better option?