Rangers could be facing an early test of their resolve in the transfer market after reports from the continent claimed Club Brugge have begun gathering information on the situation of Djeidi Gassama at Ibrox.
According to transfer insider Rudy Galetti, the Belgian side, who humiliated Rangers in the UEFA Champions League under Russell Martin, have registered an interest in the 22-year-old winger and are actively seeking clarity on the potential margins of negotiation.
At this stage, there has been no formal club-to-club contact, but Brugge are understood to be assessing whether Gassama could be available either during the current January window or in the summer.
Gassama only arrived at Rangers last summer, joining under Russell Martin, now axed after Rangers worst league start since 1978, from Sheffield Wednesday, the former club of new head coach Danny Rohl, in a deal worth around £2.2 million.
Despite being relatively new to Scottish football, the Frenchman has made a swift impression, emerging as an important attacking option in the first couple months of the season.
So far this season, Gassama has contributed six goals and three assists in all competitions, offering pace, direct running and unpredictability from wide areas but four of those goals came within his first five matches – and he has since tailed off.
From a Rangers perspective, the timing of the interest is notable.
Röhl is in the early stages of shaping his squad, and January is expected to be as much about balancing the group as it is about adding new faces.
Galetti’s report also suggests that Rangers may be open to freeing up wages if opportunities arise, particularly with Rabbi Matondo currently digging in and showing no intention of leaving the club.
Rangers wide options have been crowded at times, and while Gassama has impressed, he is not yet an undisputed starter in the Scottish Premiership.
Any potential decision would therefore be driven less by form and more by squad structure, financial flexibility and the club’s wider recruitment strategy under the German boss.
The report also notes that Villarreal have previously shown interest in Gassama, underlining that Brugge are not alone in tracking his progress. That level of continental attention reflects how quickly the winger’s stock has risen since moving to Glasgow – Rangers of course took advantage of Wednesday's financial plight and signed the Frenchman far below his market value and would look for upwards of £5 million for the winger to consider his departure.
However, there is no suggestion at this stage that Rangers are actively looking to sell. No bid has been submitted, no negotiations are under way, and the club retain control of the situation.
Having signed Gassama only months ago, Rangers would be well within their rights to knock back enquiries unless an offer arrived that significantly exceeds their valuation.
Whether this develops into anything concrete in January or is parked until the summer remains to be seen.
But with Rangers juggling incoming targets, wage considerations and a title push, Gassama’s name is one that may linger in the background of the window.