Ibrox target now wants to sign for Rangers in late move

Every club needs marquee, high-profile signings, and Glasgow Rangers are no different, with new boss Danny Rohl already welcoming Andreas Skov Olsen to Ibrox this month.

The 40-cap Denmark international arrives in Scotland with a stellar previous record from his time in Belgium, albeit while having flattered to deceive in Germany, with Gers supporters hoping that this can be the deal to help mount a sustained Premiership title bid for the rest of the season.

For all the excitement over such a signing, the Light Blues must also not ignore the success they’ve had with a different market approach in recent times, scouring the globe for lesser-known, bargain talents who boast a stellar ceiling.

That business model was best illustrated in the case of Moroccan sensation, Hamza Igamane, with the former AS FAR Rabat man arriving for just £1.7m in 2024, before departing for a sizeable £10.4m fee last summer.

Taking a punt on a rising star, as has been seen with the likes of Calvin Bassey, has been a fruitful venture in recent years – can Rohl and co do it again before the window closes?

Rangers handed boost in race to sign the next Igamane

Sunday’s win over Dundee saw Skov Olsen and fellow new signing Tochi Chukwuani thrust into the starting lineup, with that 3-0 triumph now reducing the gap to just four points to leaders Hearts.

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With ex-Westerlo left-back Tuur Rommens also already in the building, it has been a fruitful month for Rangers thus far, albeit with a new centre-forward still among the transfer priorities.

Reports late last week suggested that the Glasgow giants could potentially land Motherwell’s Tawanda Maswanhise for a fee of around £4m, albeit with additional targets also under consideration.

Indeed, an update has been given regarding the club’s pursuit of Hansa Rostock starlet, Ryan Naderi, with Rangers said to have swept aside any competition in the race for the 22-year-old’s signature.

That is according to RTL/ntv and Sport.de, who report that the German marksman is ‘determined’ link up with Rohl this month, viewing the move as a ‘huge opportunity’.

Those claims regarding his apparent desire to make the switch come following reports on Monday which revealed that Rangers had lodged a bid of around £2.6m.

Why Naderi could be Rangers’ new Igamane

In the case of Igamane’s own move to Ibrox, the fleet-footed starlet arrived after netting 16 goals in 59 games in his homeland, with Gers supporters no doubt intrigued over the impact he could make in Scottish football.

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The subsequent impact might not have been immediate, but the 23-year-old swiftly showcased his quality, not least in the Europa League, ultimately netting 16 goals in 49 games across all competitions, four of which came in Europe.

Comfortable through the middle or in a number ten berth, Igamane’s genius, albeit while only seen briefly, was no doubt evident, having since gone on to dazzle at Lille, with nine goals in his first 18 games in France.

At 6 foot 3, Naderi might be a different profile of forward, but the “physically strong striker“, as described by commentator Derek Rae, does mirror Igamane in being able to drop deep and link play, alongside being a clinical finisher himself in front of goal.

Also hailed as “promising” by Rae, the £2.6m man is enjoying a fine season in Germany’s third tier, scoring eight goals and registering five assists in just 17 league games to date.

A provider, as much as he is a goalscorer, Naderi’s talents have previously been seen during his time at Borussia Monchengladbach’s second team, racking up 19 goals and assists in 53 games in all competitions.

With 22 goal involvements in 44 games for his current side, the towering German has racked up a goal or assist once every two games, highlighting just how effective he is when leading the line.

An exciting comparison that has already been made too is to that of ex-Bundesliga star, Nick Woltemade, with the German giant also an innate goalscorer, while possessing the archetypal ‘good feet for a big man’.

Woltemade, who left Stuttgart for Newcastle United on a £69m deal over the summer, was himself playing in Germany’s third tier as recently as 2022/23, showcasing that there is talent to be found so far down the footballing pyramid.

Naderi, just like Igamane before him, would be a left-field punt for those at Ibrox, although considering the relatively minimal transfer fee, this feels like a risk worth taking.

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