Clement in move for star; big blow emerges

Football FanCast brings you the definitive Rangers transfer round-up ahead of the approaching January window.

After finishing second to Celtic last term, the Gers will be eager to go one better and dethrone their rivals as Scottish Premiership champions, and having not got off to the best start, they parted ways with Michael Beale in October.

In his place, the Gers brought in Philippe Clement, who managed Ligue 1 side AS Monaco as recently as June. The 49-year-old had no Scottish football experience but spent a year down south with Coventry City in the 1990s.

Clement has started reasonably well, hauling the Gers to within touching distance of top spot and guiding them to Viaplay Cup glory. Here are the latest rumours amid the Belgian’s first transfer window at Ibrox…

Latest Rangers transfer rumours – in

Thursday 18th January

David Jurasek – Benfica: According to Record (as per Sport Witness), Benfica full-back and Rangers target David Jurasek is on his way to sign for Hoffenheim.

The Portuguese outlet states that Jurasek will play for Hoffenheim on a loan deal until the end of the season, with a buying option.

This will no doubt come as a blow for Clement, with Rangers being rumoured to have had an interest in the defender, though the Glasgow club never officially made a bid or move for him.

Wednesday 17th January

Lawrence Shankland – Hearts: According to Sky Sports (as per Ibrox News), Rangers still have an interest in Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland.

Sky Sports journalist Mark Benstead said: “I’m told that the figures involved if that was to happen would not be insurmountable – it could be done straightforwardly.

“But they will perhaps have to move some bodies off the wage bill first and will need a common consensus that he is the right player to go for.

“There’s a lot of interest within Rangers, but also some doubting voices who think they should go for someone else.

“They also need to be mindful of the fact that Hearts will need to bring in a replacement, so they can’t drag their heels in too much.”

Shankland has been on fire this season for the Jam Tarts with 13 goals in the league alone, which trumps the Gers’ top scorer in the league, Abdallah Sima.

Latest Rangers transfer rumours – out

Wednesday 17th January

Ridvan Yilmaz: According to journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu (via Sport Witness), Clement has “no desire” to let Ridvan Yilmaz leave.

He stated: “He rejected the offer from Galatasaray.

“Right now, Ridvan Yilmaz continues to play, Philippe Clement has no desire to lose him to a loan to Galatasaray. I also talked to Ridvan’s entourage, and they said ‘we do not have an agreement with any team yet’.”

The defender has only started in 46% of his games in the Scottish Premiership this year, so a loan move away would seem likely to be in his best interests, though you never know after Clement’s recent reported rejection of Galatasaray.