Rangers have already signed two players on a pre-contract this January, capturing midfielder Glen Kamara from Dundee and winger Jordan Jones from Kilmarnock.
It’s a transfer strategy that represents great value to the club, able to sign up some of the best Scottish Premiership talents without having to worry about the risk of a high transfer fee.
Others in the division are similarly available, the most high-profile arguably being Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie.
He is reported by The Scottish Sun to be on the verge of signing a pre-contract with Wigan Athletic after making the decision to quit Pittodrie at the end of the season.
Should the Gers be intervening and making a move for the player to prevent him leaving Scottish football?
He’s a committed and consistent Premiership performer and Rangers’ last move for an Aberdeen captain on a free transfer worked out when Ryan Jack made the switch to Ibrox.
Rated at £750,000 by Transfermarkt, Shinnie is a versatile star who can cover left-back and midfield positions. He’s a player that will give 100% in every match, also possessing the trait excelling in the big matches on the national stage.
Some may baulk at the suggestion of signing Shinnie, especially with plenty of midfielders at the club already, but it’d be a cost-effective move for a player that is more than capable of winning consistently at domestic level.
He’s not an unknown, would surely have plenty to offer the club and can compete for first-team places immediately without the need for serious development.
As squad options go, we may not find better value in the market right now.