Rangers, reportedly, missed out on Red Star Belgrade’s Mirko Ivanic after making a bid late in the summer transfer window, the attacking midfielder staying put.
This does have an upside though because the 15-cap Montanegro international will be available to sign a pre-contract agreement in January, should Ross Wilson decide to follow up our interest.
Rangers, according to Informer – a Serbian media outlet – claim that a £3million offer was made for the playmaker, Steven Gerrard had made subtle hints about adding another player and The Athletic went one further saying that a forward was potentially on the cards.
With 20 goals and 16 assists last season Ivanic will be highly sought after on a “free” transfer and it may be that Rangers need to make space in the squad before any other additions can be made, however, it wouldn’t be the first time that signings have been made before players are allowed to leave.
Although not a direct replacement, Ivanic would fill one of the front three places in the gaffer’s preferred 4-3-3 line-up, either side of or behind Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe and Fashion Sakala, Gerrard has always spoken about players needing to produce “numbers” with his attackers expect to provide as well as finish chances.
The 27-year old isn’t the sort of player that would be developed and sold at a profit further down the line but he would fall into the same category as the likes of John Lundstram in that he would be signed to make an impact in the first-team squad straight away without costing a fortune.
Ivanic joins a list now including Zinedine Ferhat and Danilho Doekhi of players that have been targeted who are now approaching the last six-months of their contracts – our sporting director must be counting the days.