Rangers trim squad as Danilo’s Botafogo move nears, Cerny loan mooted, Ferguson chase rebuffed
Andy Devlin says Lyon made enquiries for Youssef Chermiti but were told bids must start at £20m. No follow-up from Lyon, boosting Rangers’ hopes of pairing Chermiti with Lawrence Shankland next season.
Rangers eye a £5m winger likened to Ryan Kent to fix wide options, complementing McInnes’ defensive rebuild. Details scant but target is viewed as a dynamic solution on the flanks.
Ex-Rangers boss Russell Martin charms Leicester fans in pre-season. Meanwhile, Leicester talk to Rangers over John Souttar and could sell Stephy Mavididi, with Gers considering a £7m move.
Rangers and Leicester monitor Sheffield United’s 20-year-old striker One, who scored 5 in 16 on loan at Lincoln. Gers already added Lawrence Shankland as Danilo edges to exit, with Naderi, Chermiti and Miovski options.
Rangers plan a bid for a defender rated ‘incredible’ at the World Cup after agent talks, continuing a busy window following five signings to chase the Premiership title.
Lawrence Shankland says he feels no ‘too much pressure’ and aims to be first name on McInnes’ teamsheet after joining from Hearts and playing at the World Cup. He sits third in Premiership all-time scorers with 80.
Nicolas Raskin, dubbed a World Cup ‘revelation’, is on Manchester United’s shortlist, with Betis and Villarreal also keen. Rangers seek around £20m as McInnes reshapes midfield with Neil, Devlin and Dragojevic.
Hotline callers slate Celtic’s slow window and back Derek McInnes to put Rangers on top. Fans trade pre-season jibes as the Premiership countdown begins.
Rangers agree £4m-plus fee for Partizan captain Vanja Dragojevic, hailed as ‘one of the best’ DMFs in Serbia. Sky say talks also continue for Jens Hjerto-Dahl. Jamie O’Hara reacts with ‘Wow’ on air.
Rangers chiefs fly to Tromso to negotiate Jens Hjerto-Dahl after Cardiff’s £5.5m bid was rejected. Gers weigh improved offer despite moving for Vanja Dragojevic, with £8.5m mooted for the U21 midfielder.
Rangers track Philadelphia Union defender Olwethu Makhanya after a £3m Belgian bid was rejected, with the 22-year-old ‘devastated’. Souttar, in his final year, draws interest from Leicester and Sheffield United.
Bologna assistant Andrea Tarozzi calls Lewis Ferguson ‘fundamental’, sending Rangers a firm hands-off message as the captain returns from ACL issues after a key role in Coppa Italia win and top-five finish.
Ex-assistant Alex Rae says a loan ‘compromise’ could land Cerny from Besiktas, with Rangers covering part of his £45k-a-week wages. The winger is open to returning after dropping down the pecking order.
Rangers’ link to Ryan Fosso cools, but his elite crossing and versatility could fill wide or wing-back roles post-Tavernier. Despite Devlin and Neil arrivals, his defensive solidity and delivery tempt McInnes.
Ex-Rangers recruiter Nils Koppen, now at West Ham, is linked with moves for Celtic’s Hatate plus targets Engels and Balikwisha, which could aid Rangers. His past Ibrox hits include Igamane, Barron and Cerny.
With defensive depth thin after loans and Souttar’s exit, Rangers weigh a versatile full-back option, echoing Max Aarons’ role. James Penrice is linked as cover, with McCrorie a utility across the backline.
Botafogo move for Danilo set to be confirmed on 16 July, likely loan-to-buy. With Shankland, Chermiti and Naderi in, he is surplus. Beale-era remnants shrink, with Raskin, Cifuentes and Sterling futures noted.
