With the impending arrival of Juninho Bacuna at Ibrox, Rangers have now been linked with a move for Red Star Belgrade key asset, Mirko Ivanic.
The 27-year old is an attacking midfielder, with 15 caps for Montenegro.
A €3.5mil offer has been reported by the Serbian media, with Red Star’s asking price said to be in the region of around half a million Euros higher.
It would be a significant outlay for the club with questions against the re-sale value of a player of his age.
Like Rangers, the Serbian giants have been dealt a blow with failing to qualify for the Champions League and they are susceptible to bids for their better talent – that is where Ivanic comes in.
He is considered to be a classy player, with an eye for goal, doing his best work in the final third having notched up four goals from nine appearances already, this season.
Belgrade outlet Mozzartsport broke this story this evening. Within their report they state:
“Red Star has received a tempting offer: Rangers has bid €3.5mil euros for Mirko Ivanic.”
“The damage due to not entering the Champions League playoffs must be compensated, but the potential departure of the midfielder would be a great loss for the red and whites.”
Prospects
Are Rangers capable of spending three to four million on top of the Bacuna switch?
Can the club spend further before any money comes in first?
Those are big questions that are soon to be revealed.
Europa League qualification is essential and Rangers have to get the job done against Alashkert. That will help to plug the financial gap meanwhile the issue of player trading rumbles on.
Manager Steven Gerrard is braced for bids for his players but he is keen on add one or two more to his options.
This is a very intriguing move with the hallmarks of a Ross Wilson type venture and one that VitalRangers will be following with interest.