Rangers have once again been linked with activity in the English Championship market, with reports from The Sheffield Star suggesting Danny Rohl’s side are monitoring Sheffield Wednesday defender Yan Valery.
Journalists Alex Miller and George Smith report that the Tunisian international right-back is attracting serious interest ahead of the transfer window deadline, with Rangers and Wrexham among the clubs expected to make approaches.
They wrote: “The Star understands versatile senior man Yan Valery is another player with serious interest from elsewhere and can reveal that Rangers and Wrexham are among the clubs expected to make bids before the window is out.”
The connection to Ibrox is clear. Rangers head coach Rohl previously worked with Valery at Southampton, where the German was a coach, and that relationship is said to have been a key factor in the defender’s decision to join Wednesday in the summer of 2023.
Rohl’s familiarity with the player’s profile and character would make him a low-risk recruitment option in terms of adaptation.
Wednesday’s situation adds further context. The Owls are rooted to the foot of the English Championship table and are preparing for life in England’s League One amid the financial fallout from previous ownership issues.
Their current model under new leadership is expected to include player trading to stabilise the club.
Valery, 26, is regarded as one of their key sellable assets. He has made 21 appearances this season across right-back and defensive midfield roles, either side of representing Tunisia at the African Cup of Nations.
Known for his aerial strength, physical presence and proactive defensive style, Valery also offers progressive passing and attacking support, underpinned by strong stamina levels - traits that align with the modern full-back profile Rohl favours.
Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen recently acknowledged the growing transfer attention around his squad.
He said: “I know there is a lot of interest for more of our players. There will be more interest, of course there will. Let’s see what happens.
“Right now I don’t know more. I can only say I really, really, really hope we can keep our players because we don’t have many. It could be nice to keep who we have.”
Pedersen has also admitted Valery could miss the weekend trip to Bristol City through injury, potentially complicating short-term negotiations.
From a Rangers perspective, the situation is not straightforward. The club currently have three right-backs in the senior picture - Dujon Sterling, captain James Tavernier and on-loan Max Aarons.
Aarons is due to return to Bournemouth in the summer, despite a desire from the player to remain in Scotland, while Tavernier’s contract expires at the end of the season.
Rangers would ideally offload one option before committing to another signing in this window, which may push any move for Valery toward the summer instead.
The Ibrox side have also been linked with current Wednesday and former Aberdeen left-back Max Lowe, whose contract expires this summer.
Rangers are believed to have explored the possibility of a pre-contract agreement, particularly with Brentford loanee Jayden Meghoma expected to depart at the end of the campaign.
One Wednesday player who will not be heading to Glasgow is Barry Bannan.
The former Scotland international has been loosely linked with Celtic, but the boyhood Hoops supporter is instead expected to join Millwall on an 18-month deal.
For Rangers, Valery represents a familiar and versatile option who fits Rohl’s system, but the timing may prove decisive.
A January move would depend on outgoings, while a summer deal could align more naturally with squad turnover at full-back.
Either way, the Sheffield connection remains a recruitment avenue worth watching as Rohl continues to reshape his squad in his own image.