Rangers transfer window has accelerated sharply over the past week, with activity building at both ends of the squad as Ibrox chiefs juggle title ambitions, the wage bill and long-term planning.
Striker search leads the agenda
The week began with Rangers moving for Hansa Rostock forward Ryan Naderi, with reports of a €3 million bid lodged for the striker.
Rostock boss Daniel Brinkmann publicly indicated the 3. Liga side would not block the player’s progression, but the initial offer has been rejected, with the German club now attempting to engineer a bidding process to inflate the fee.
Rangers are prepared to improve their proposal, though they are simultaneously exploring a contingency: an experienced striker on loan until the end of the season.
That route is complicated by squad composition. The club already have six senior loanees, close to their limit, but Jayden Meghoma, 19, and Mikey Moore, 18, are exempt under FIFA age regulations, giving Rangers limited flexibility.
Outgoings could yet shape the forward line. Danilo is attracting concrete interest after an injury-disrupted spell in Glasgow that has left him behind Yousef Chermiti and Bojan Miovski in the pecking order.
Dutch side NEC Nijmegen made a loan approach, but Cypriot champions Pafos FC have since moved ahead with an offer believed to be around €2 million. Rangers would prefer a permanent exit and hope the Cypriot bid stimulates further movement, with Danish interest also noted.
A move to Cyprus would see Danilo link up with fellow Brazilian David Luiz, which may heighten the appeal of the move to the forward.
At the other end of the spectrum, Rangers were reported to have rebuffed a significant approach for their No.9. Chermiti, now first choice after scoring at Tynecastle and netting a brace at Celtic Park, reported to have been the subject of a rejected €15 million bid from Fenerbahçe.
The Turkish side are denying the rumours, and blaming Chermiti's agent for the leak - but Scottish sources are backing up reports of a bid.
The Turkish side are expected to return. Rangers are reluctant sellers as they pursue the Scottish Premiership title, but escalating numbers would test that stance, particularly given the club’s transfer model.
Similarly, Monaco saw a €10 million loan-with-obligation proposal rejected for Djeidi Gassama. The structure of that deal, delayed funds and a late-window departure made it unattractive for a side chasing silverware.
There are also temporary situations to resolve. Rabbi Matondo is wanted on loan by ex-Rangers manager Philippe Clement at Norwich City, though wage sharing remains a sticking point. Findlay Curtis will head to Kilmarnock on loan after the UEFA Europa League trip to Porto on Thursday barring any late hiccups.
Wide areas: interest, but reluctance to weaken
Dutch giants Feyenoord are monitoring Oliver Antman, whose first months at Ibrox have been disrupted by injury and inconsistent form. However, Danny Rohl is keen to retain depth in wide areas, and Rangers are not entertaining bids below roughly €6 million – double what was paid for the Finland international.
The club’s recruitment team continues to track domestic options. Tawanda Maswanhise is admired, while Kieron Bowie of Hibernian is a more concrete name.
Rangers have asked to be kept informed, but with Hibs rejecting a reported £5 million bid from Hellas Verona, any move from Ibrox would need to exceed that benchmark.
Several names can be discounted for now. Barney Stewart is not a target following his Falkirk extension, there is no active bid for Barcelona B’s Dani Rodríguez, and while Joel Piroe has been discussed internally, no offer has been tabled.
Interest in Hungarian winger Damir Redzic persists, though the priority this window is central reinforcement rather than another wide addition.
Midfield reshaping under way
The midfield picture is already changing. Kieran Dowell has departed permanently for Hull City, while Joe Rothwell is expected to follow him back to the English Championship, with Sheffield United and Charlton among interested clubs.
The Blades pursuit may intensify after missing out, alongside Rangers, on Sunderland’s Dan Neil, who instead joined Ipswich Town on loan.
Rangers desire for an experienced No.6 has been heightened by Connor Barron’s injury, ruling him out until March. Norwich’s Kenny McLean has been linked, but there has been no club-to-club contact.
Instead, reports have re-emerged around Silas Andersen, the 21-year-old BK Häcken midfielder, who fits a younger profile and is also on Celtic’s radar.
Jens Hjertø-Dahl is another name of interest, though a move for the Tromsø prospect is considered unlikely this month due to the asking price.
Rangers would listen to offers for Nedim Bajrami, but are not actively pushing him out, while Niko Sigur is not on their list and is more likely to move across the city.
Longer term, planning is already under way for a future without Nicolas Raskin, with the Belgian expected to depart next summer as he enters the final year of his deal.
15-year-old Kyle Glasgow has agreed a senior deal with RangersF, but English giants Chelsea are set to complete a move for fellow youth prospect Ashton Scally – just weeks after Rohl was blocked from debuting the pair against Annan Athletic.
Defensive and goalkeeping situations
At the back, Clinton Nsiala is available. Minutes have been scarce under both Russell Martin and now Rohl, and Rangers would prefer a permanent sale, though a loan remains possible. The defender missed training this week while exploring options; Motherwell have been mentioned, but no offer has materialised.
The club have ended interest in James Penrice following the arrival of Tuur Rommens, while links to Sheffield Wednesday pair Max Lowe and Yan Valery are viewed as more plausible summer moves.
Kurt Zouma is not a target for Rangers this window and is expected to earn a big-money return, wage-wise, to England.
There is also high-level scouting interest in Emmanuel Fernandez, with Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen reportedly monitoring developments.
In goal, Rangers would consider a loan for third-choice Kieran Wright now that European registration constraints have eased following UEFA Europa League elimination, though it is not an active priority, while Liam Kelly’s contract situation remains fluid.
As ever, the January window remains a moving landscape, valuations shift, opportunities emerge and collapse quickly, and situations can evolve in a matter of hours, meaning Rangers plans, both incoming and outgoing, could change at any moment.