Speaking after the game against Hibs on Sunday, Michael Beale hinted that a new signing could be announced as early as Wednesday night. There are quite a few options on who it could be, so let’s take a look from the least likely, to the most likely.
Jose Cifuentes – Fabrizio Romano, via The 4th Official, broke the news last week that Rangers were in pole position to land the LAFC midfielder. The Ecuadorian international has many suitors from around Europe so this would be a huge coup and a statement signing from Rangers.
The actual transfer fee between the two clubs, however, doesn’t seem to have been agreed yet. This is why this one seems unlikely to be announced this early. Cifuentes played for LAFC as recently as this weekend and his contract isn’t up until December.
This seems a promising deal but unlikely it’s already sorted right now.
Jack Butland – The Sun was reporting late last week that the former England international was set to turn down Manchester United in favour or first team football at Ibrox. Not much has been heard since then, officially or unofficially.
Just because the report suggested he favoured first team football it doesn’t mean that the deal is already agreed. This being a much more local transfer to Cifuentes makes it more likely to be ready to go, but not by much.
His contract is up this summer and he’ll be keen to get started at his new club as soon as possible. Wednesday still seems too soon for this one though. Another promising looking deal for the club, which will probably be announced soon, just not as soon as Wednesday.
Malik Tillman – The young American was back in Glasgow this week for the Player of the Year award ceremony. The manager also said he was due to have talks with him about his future.
The finances are apparently in place for the deal already. It all just depends on the club and the player himself. Michael Beale said he was keen to get the deal done permanently and that it fell to Tillman on his decision.
Having been back at Bayern for treatment he’s presumably spoken to Thomas Tuchel regarding his future. Those talks will decide how this move goes. This one is so far up the list because everything is already in place for the deal, if Tillman wants it to happen.
Player comings and goings are apparently set to be announced at the pre-match press conference, it will be interesting to see if Tillman is included in that chat.
Kieran Dowell – Reports from various news outlets have suggested this deal is all but done. The player has supposedly agreed the deal and everything is heading in the right direction.
Nothing has been mentioned regarding the move in the last week or so though. That doesn’t mean the move have fallen through or anything, just that everything may not be fully set to complete.
The player at the top of the list seems to be closer to signing for one main reason and that’s why Dowell is second here.
Dujon Sterling – The main reason he is at the top of the list is that Scott Burns of The Daily record report he’s had a tour of Ibrox and the RCT already. That alone sets him apart from the rest of the targets, unless there’s have been done under the radar.
It had been reported he turned down a new deal at Chelsea in favour or reuniting with Michael Beale. A versatile defender capable of playing all across the back line, this is a player profile which has excited fans.
He could be an absolute steal on a free transfer. At only 23 he has plenty of room to develop and getting to play in Europe will only make him a better player.
Who do you think is the most likely to be announced and who do you want it to be?