Rangers transfer chaos: £18m star walks for nothing while ‘Van Dijk 2.0’ deal heats up!

As the transfer window’s final week approaches, Ibrox is bracing for significant changes. With the deadline looming, speculation grows not just around player transfers but also the future of Russell Martin as Rangers manager. The next few days could prove pivotal for Martin, whose strict adherence to his tactical vision means each new arrival must fit a specific mold, while current squad members must fully embrace his style.

Since taking charge in June, Martin has already overseen the arrival of ten new players but continues to pursue further reinforcements. Among those linked is Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, a Crystal Palace winger admired by Martin since his time at Southampton. While Rangers’ loan bid was reportedly rejected, interest from Leicester City and a rejected £10 million offer from Southampton’s new boss Will Still indicate robust competition for his signature.

Defensively, Rangers are said to be preparing a move for Chris Mepham. The Welsh defender, who has one year left on his Bournemouth contract and spent last season on loan at Sunderland, is seen as the kind of leader Martin wants at the back. Mepham’s diminished role at Bournemouth could make him attainable.

On the attacking front, Everton striker Youssef Chermiti remains on the radar. Rangers’ sporting director Kevin Thelwell knows him well from his £11 million move to Merseyside, but Everton are reportedly insisting any loan guarantees significant playing time for the Portuguese forward.

Cyriel Dessers, meanwhile, has been linked with clubs in Greece and Italy but insists he’s content at Ibrox. “All I can say is that I’m at a fantastic club. It’s not easy, because there’s always something going on here and the pressure is always immense, but I genuinely think Rangers are one of the best clubs in the world. To get me out of here, everything will have to be right, and it will have to be for another special club,” said Dessers.

Another potential defensive recruit is Xavier Mbuyamba of FC Volendam. Mbuyamba, previously with Chelsea and Barcelona, is attracting attention from FC Twente and has drawn comparisons to Virgil van Dijk. Volendam manager Rick Kruys stated, “There’s a lot of interest in him. We’ve also agreed to cooperate on his departure. He already expressed that wish last season, and we’re also happy for him to make the move.”

Grady Diangana remains a free agent after leaving West Bromwich Albion. Once considered a rising star when he moved from West Ham for £18 million, Diangana’s exit from the Baggies even prompted then-Hammers captain Mark Noble to say on Twitter: “As captain of this football club I’m gutted, angry and sad that Grady has left, great kid with a great future.” Clubs are now weighing up signing him on a free.

Roma’s Anass Salah-Eddine has also reportedly caught Rangers’ eye, though Serie A rivals Torino and Bundesliga side Werder Bremen are also in the mix. Roma are believed to be seeking a purchase obligation in any loan deal to recover the £6.9 million paid to FC Twente.

Bojan Miovski, formerly of Aberdeen and now at Girona, is open to a permanent move away, with Rangers holding talks. Meanwhile, Nedim Bajrami’s future appears uncertain, as Sevilla and Udinese reportedly circle, and Rangers are said to be ready to offload him after an underwhelming year.

Weslley Patati of Maccabi Tel Aviv has also been a target, but the Israeli club is holding firm on their £8.6 million valuation, rejecting lower offers from AZ and several UAE teams. In other news, Hamza Igamane is set for a move to Lille after the French side triggered his £10.4 million release clause—a sharp profit for Rangers after signing him for £1.4 million, though his forced exit has disappointed some supporters.

Lastly, Kieran Dowell’s future at Ibrox is unclear. Despite early backing from Martin, an injury that kept him out of the recent Club Brugge match could hinder any potential departure before the window closes.

As the transfer deadline nears, the coming days promise more twists, with Rangers’ squad—and perhaps their dugout—on the verge of significant change.