There’s no smoke without fire.
A statement as old as time used to imply that because there are rumours flying about they must be true, well, it doesn’t always work out like that when you look at transfer windows, and in particular, Rangers.
Whether it’s agents trying to get a better deal for their client or hoping to force their way out of a club, 0ur name is frequently dropped into lists when players talk about who has been keeping tabs on them. In this window we have seen a raft of right wingers being linked with a move to Glasgow given how it would appear to be the obvious position that needs to be strengthened – but how do they measure up against each other?
Here we have a look at the names and numbers of the ones that might be on a list of potential candidates on Ross Wilson’s desk.
Crysencio Summerville
The 20-year old Leeds United winger has struggled for game time at Elland Road since moving from Feyenoord with a little over 200 minutes in his eight appearances, Giovanni van Bronckhorst would have been aware of the Dutch youth cap when they were a the same club together, however, at best, a loan deal is probably the only option available and I’m not sure it would be worth putting Ianis Hagi or Scott Wright on the bench for a player with as little senior experience.
Francis Amuzu
Amuzu is a “proper” winger who has been in and out of Anderlecht’s side this season, never starting more than three games in a row. He has still managed five goals and four assists in 25 appearances though. The Belgian Under-21 international is experienced for a player of his age but with a contract until 2024 he would cost a few million, £3.5m if his release clause is correct.
Albert Gundmundsson
Available on a pre-contract, an established international and has been playing in the Eredivisie for years, he might not be prolific in front of goal – a goal/assist every three for AZ Alkmaar – but, his great grandfather played for Rangers in the ’40s which would make him immediately popular with fans.
Viktor Claesson
The most experienced player of the group with 56 Sweden caps, the £8m rated, 30-year old Krasnodar winger will be on a decent pay in Russia but is available on a free transfer. At over 6ft tall and athletically built, he is the most physical of the potential targets and with a goal/assist every two games throughout his career is also the most prolific – probably the lowest risk signing of the group.
Andreas Skov Olsen
The one that has attracted the most headlines is the Bologna man, currently being played out of position at right wing-back, the 22-year old Denmark international has struggled for numbers since moving to Serie A, his 27 goals and seven assists in 51 games for FC Nordsjaelland as a teenager seem a long way away but he has shown flashes of his old self when playing in a more advanced position for his country. The fee would be the sticking point for Olsen, a reported £5m would be needed but there is an argument that would suggest he would be worth the investment given the role that he would have under Van Bronckhorst.
If it was down to me – and money wasn’t an object – I’d go for Olsen, he has a lot of experience at a decent age and still has plenty of room to develop, there is no reason why we couldn’t make a substantial profit on him further down the line, being sensible though, I’d like Claesson. He’s a different type of player to what we have, the only sticking point being his age, a two-year deal with an option for a third wouldn’t stop the development of Wright.
Few individuals within the confines of Auchenhowie will know what names are on the real list but the ones above refuse to go away, we’ll find out in a couple of weeks just how accurate the rumours are.