Rangers manager Philippe Clement’s plans for the coming 2024/25 Scottish Premiership campaign continue at pace this month, and with the announcement of the released list with a number of players naturally out of contract, the club have already seen the start of some new fresh faces arriving for the battles that lie ahead.
Their 50 year old Belgian gaffer had made it pretty clear that there would be quite an overhaul this summer, so for good reasons, the educated guess is that they are far from finished in the transfer window, but they rightly are trying to create a younger squad that can be developed, and where needs must, then be sold on for a good fee that can be reinvested for the greater good, rather than seeing older players simply leave as free agents. That is not a sensible strategy for any club in the modern game.
Given the renewed youth focus from Clement and director of football Nils Koppen, Rangers were strongly linked this week with out of contract former Aberdeen midfielder Connor Barron. The 21 year old, three capped Scotland Under 21 international, really had a true breakthrough year for Aberdeen in 2023/24. With 15 appearances to his name for them in 2021/22, he made 19 the following year but last campaign he racked up 42 across the entire year.
If the transfer rumour speculation mill is to be believed, it is said that they are in pole position for his capture this summer, as Clement feels that he is definitely the kind of player and character that he can mould into a far better player given the development potential that lies ahead of him in future years.
As a free agent, it would also be a very cost effective move from the brains at Ibrox, but Aberdeen would still be entitled to some training compensation under the rules of the game, but compared to similar targets of his age and potential, that would be a nominal expenditure if an agreement with them can be struck.
He obviously and naturally has other suitors chasing his signature for the years that lie ahead, and with some interest from the English divisions (Swansea City and Middlesbrough have been namechecked), it seems one of Rangers’ main challengers for his services may be Italian Serie A side Cagliari.
From the financial point of view, cross border rules means a move to Italy could be in the region of £500,000, so Rangers can use that limit in their favour if the player prefers to make the switch to them during negotiations, otherwise Aberdeen place their fate in the hands of a tribunal.
This might be a deal worth keeping eyes on.