The transfer window is now less than four weeks away and it can’t come soon enough for a Rangers team in desperate need of fresh legs in midfield and for a manager looking to stamp his own authority and identity onto a squad that he played a big part in assembling.
One name that has re-emerged is a target from last January with a player capable of adding both goals and assists potentially being lined up by Ross Wilson.
Ahmed Kendouci is contracted with ES Setif from Algeria’s top league until 2024 but, according to a report by a journalist for African Insider, the 23-year old is available for a “low seven-figure sum”.
https://twitter.com/SurMerco/status/1599735336795611137?s=20&t=PVFKPcvGNsOegXB_-2QYcA
Vital Rangers reported the original link in January and Kendouci is a player who would be a popular addition, The Rangers Review’s Patrick Caskie analysed the playmaker and suggested that he could be exactly what we are looking for:
“When playing centrally, the Algerian is adept at receiving the ball in between the lines and forcing defensive switches. However, he is no easier to contain with the ball at his feet as his flair and intelligence constantly force defenders to second-guess themselves. When centrally more so than in any other position, Kendouci can show off the scope of his vision as he sits back and orchestrates Setif’s attack, often finishing the chances himself.”
It’s safe to say that waiting until the summer before strengthening isn’t really an option. We know the players whose contracts are about to expire and what weaknesses this squad has and giving new signings extra time to gel could be pivotal in terms of next season’s potential successes.