Rangers may need to strike another midfield name from their working shortlist, with developments in Turkey suggesting Jens Hjertø-Dahl is now on course for a move away from Scandinavia.
According to French transfer journalist Santi Aouna for Foot Mercato, Beşiktaş have agreed a deal with Tromsø worth €8 million plus a further €1 million in add-ons for the 20-year-old midfielder.
Discussions are ongoing between the Süper Lig side and Hjertø-Dahl’s representatives to settle personal terms, but the framework of the club-to-club agreement signals clear intent from the Istanbul outfit to push the transfer through quickly.
The Norwegian youth international had been mentioned in connection with Rangers as part of their broader midfield market scan this window.
While not understood to be at the very top of the Ibrox priority list, Hjertø-Dahl fits the profile the recruitment team have repeatedly targeted in recent windows: young, tactically flexible, comfortable receiving under pressure and with scope for development and resale value.
However, Beşiktaş willingness to commit close to a nine-figure package underlines the financial layer to this deal, and why it may always have been a difficult one for Rangers to control.
Midfield remains an area under active review at Ibrox. Injuries and squad turnover have sharpened the focus on central balance, particularly in the deeper roles, where Rangers are targeting an experienced number six as a priority this window alongside a centre-forward.
This latest development therefore looks less like Rangers “missing out” on a primary target and more a case of the market accelerating beyond a value point they were prepared to meet this window.
Beşiktaş have moved decisively, and unless talks over personal terms collapse, the Turkish side appear set to secure the player.
For Rangers, options remain available, but as the window accelerates towards its closure, moves must be made quickly.
Hjertø-Dahl’s anticipated move to Istanbul narrows one pathway, but it does not materially alter the overall midfield plan. Rangers continue to assess options, with the balance between immediate impact and longer-term squad building still central to decision-making as the window enters its closing stretch.
As ever in January, timelines are compressed and situations can shift rapidly, but for now, this looks like one link that is drifting firmly out of Rangers reach.
Despite this, Joe Rothwell is set to depart Ibrox this week, with Sheffield United remaining favourites for his signature.