Michael Beale was less than subtle when he said that he has his eye on a new striker for the summer and we have seen a few names already emerge.
The usual suspects were immediately linked but, alongside Josh Maja, who is soon to be out of contract, the emergence of Nikola Krstovic and Petar Ratkov provide the more interesting options.
Maja is well known to Vital Rangers, he ticks a lot of boxes and has been a target before, he is also available for free in the summer and is currently on a wage of less than £50,000 per month – well within our budget even if we double his salary.
🚨 FI SOURCES! 🚨 – We’re told Rangers have a genuine interest in Bordeaux striker Josh Maja. 📌
– He’s out of contract at the end of the season and being closely monitored. 📌
✍️: @FrazFletcher— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) February 17, 2023
Krstovic is a name that was rumoured but without any mainstream confirmation, however, Football Insider has now claimed that we are interested in the 22-year old goal machine, with a blank cheque, this is the one that is most exciting, you just need to see his highlight reel to see why.
🚨 The Insider Show with @FrazFletcher 🚨
– Rangers are plotting a move to sign Josh Maja this summer. ✍
– The 24-year-old is one of Michael Beale’s top targets as the Gers plan an overhaul of their attack. ✅
– Watch the full video below. 👇#Rangers #RFC #RangersFC #WATP
— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) February 18, 2023
The report on YouTube by Fraser Fletcher also brings a new name to the table in Ratkov, another Eastern European but one with slightly less experience at just 19, along with Krstovic though, perhaps we are looking to sign a striker whose profile isn’t as well known yet and getting them before they make their big move and we are priced out of the bidding.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE! 🚨
– Rangers are plotting a move for Serbian wonderkid Petar Ratkov. 🔥
– The striker is on the radar of top European clubs heading into the summer window. 🔎
— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) February 19, 2023
Goalscorers are never cheap and, as we’ve seen with Cedric Itten, sometimes it just doesn’t work out even if they score goals in other leagues. The key is not overspending and identifying players that we can still turn a profit on, or at worst, get our money back.
Ratkov is a fresh face but the other two have now been mentioned from different sources before which suggests that they are on a list somewhere in Ross Wilson’s office.
Watch this space.