The January transfer window closes at 11pm tonight, and Rangers are looking increasingly unlikely to make the additions required to surge back into the Scottish Premiership title race.
Rangers sit third, behind Old Firm rivals Celtic on goal difference following the weekend’s results and six points behind league leaders Hearts. However, with transfer dominoes not falling in the Ibrox club’s favour, any business today looks speculative at best.
The club can still sign out-of-contract players until March, though, and here are four currently unattached players Danny Rohl could target beyond tonight’s deadline.
Ryan Kent
A former Rangers player and title-winning hero of 2020/21, Kent is a free agent after departing MLS side Seattle Sounders on Hogmanay when his deal expired in the United States.
Tricky, quick and, on his day, a creative force, Kent’s first spell at Ibrox ended poorly, with a lacklustre final season in which his attacking output dipped significantly.
He may view a return to Glasgow as an opportunity to right those wrongs and reignite what was once a very promising career.
Kurt Zouma
Rohl has targeted added physicality this window, with tall, imposing profiles signed and still sought across the pitch.
With Clinton Nsiala set to depart and Nasser Djiga yet to convince consistently, the Rangers boss could look toward the controversial former Chelsea and West Ham defender to strengthen his back line.
The former France international is now a free agent after a disappointing spell with Romanian side CFR Cluj and could see Ibrox as a platform to push himself back into the thinking of clubs in Europe’s top five leagues.
However, reported interest from Newcastle United, who can outmatch Rangers financially, could make any move difficult.
César Araújo
Rangers have been open about their desire to add an experienced No.6 this window.
Despite being only 24, Araújo has made over 200 senior appearances across spells in Uruguay and the United States, along with a cap for his national side.
Naturally defensive-minded and relatively robust physically, he could become a realistic post-window option if Rangers fail to secure a midfield addition before the deadline.
Rey Manaj
Rangers have also made clear their desire for greater physical presence in attack. With moves for Cameron Archer and Joel Piroe unlikely and Ryan Naderi not due to leave Hansa Rostock until the summer, the former Inter Milan forward could represent a short-term solution.
Having recently left UAE-based Sharjah FC, the Albanian international may be open to a move and could reunite with international teammate Nedim Bajrami at Ibrox.
Prolific in Turkey and Spain’s second tier, Manaj possesses the strength and directness Rohl is seeking for the title run in.