Rangers are apparently planning a move to sign a Championship gem before Crystal Palace when the summer transfer market opens, in addition to already having their sights set on some great acquisitions.
After suffering a shocking cup loss to Queen’s Park of the Scottish Championship, the Gers will be looking for new positives as Philippe Clement’s workload mounts. There have even been reports that the Belgian may lose his job if Rangers lose in the Europa League round of 16.
Off the field, however, Clement was not helped by Rangers’ ability to add just one reinforcement during the January transfer window, Rafael Fernandes, who was on loan from LOSC Lille.
In an unpleasant full debut to forget against Queen’s Park, the center defender made his maiden start and has now made two appearances. Regardless of how successful Fernandes ends up being, it’s obvious that Clement and the people at Ibrox need some summer reinforcements.
Rangers are now planning a summer move to sign Zaid Betteka before Norwich City and Crystal Palace do, according to Football Insider. The teenager from Birmingham City will be free to depart this summer as he has not yet signed a new contract with the League One team.
A great deal, Rangers shouldn’t have any financial worries about acquiring the teenage winger, who will have a difficult choice to make come summertime. Although Selhurst Park would be difficult to resist, Betteka’s decision might be heavily influenced by the possibility of playing at Ibrox.
The path appears clear for Betteka to follow at his boyhood club, as he has already made his senior debut for Birmingham. But whether he takes it or not is another matter. At just eighteen, he has to make a critical decision due to interest from both Rangers and Crystal Palace. Betteka is definitely prepared for more first-team involvement, especially considering his performance thus far this season at the U21 level.
Given Oscar Cortes’ ongoing injury issues, Rangers may need to think about adding another attacking spark as soon as possible, and Betteka can do just that.
The Gers just need to take action come summertime, whether that means bringing in the Birmingham kid or looking at other possibilities. Meanwhile, it might be too little, too late to rescue Clement’s job when the opportunity opens.
Those at Ibrox have a lot of crucial decisions to make in the upcoming months after being shocked out of the Scottish Cup and a world away in the race for the Scottish Premiership crown.
