It has already been a busy summer at Ibrox in the midst of a rebuilding project under boss Michael Beale, but who are the Rangers transfer targets?
This summer was always going to be huge for the Gers, with many experienced players reaching the end of their contracts. The likes of Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos and Allan McGregor have all left the club on the expiry of their contracts.
#RangersFC can today announce Scott Arfield, Filip Helander, Ryan Kent, Allan McGregor and Alfredo Morelos will leave the club upon the expiry of their contracts this summer.
💙 The players have given excellent service & will move on with the thanks of everyone at Rangers.
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) May 23, 2023
On top of that, this window is the first summer window for manager Beale who is set to take on his first full season in charge of the club. With a large crop of players departing the club, this has also made room for a number of incomings that have already been confirmed.
Free transfers Jack Butland, Dujon Sterling and Kieran Dowell have already helped add some fresh faces and depth. Further acquisitions in Cyriel Dessers and Danilo have also added to the attacking talent at Rangers' disposal.
However, there is still plenty of business to be done, with Rangers looking at a number of targets across all areas of the pitch to really fine tune their squad before the close of the summer window as they look to qualify for the Champions League this season.
Let’s take a look at some of the latest summer 2023 Rangers transfer targets.
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Rangers transfer targets for summer 2023
Jesse Lingard – Free Agent
Jesse Lingard is a player who is a world beater on his day, with people seemingly forgetting that due to the disappointing last few years of his career.
Still only 30 years old, the attacking midfielder is currently without a club after leaving Nottingham Forest at the start of the summer. Lingard only spent one season with Forest, playing just 20 times, scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists.
Despite not showing much consistent form in the last two seasons, Lingard would be a great option for Rangers. It provides the player with a completely fresh start away from all the media talk that surrounded him during his time in England.
Not only that, with Rangers losing many creative players this summer, a player with Lingard’s abilities is exactly what they need. The only issue would be wages, with the England international likely to have to take a pay-cut in order to make this deal happen.
Axel Tuanzebe – Free Agent
Michael Beale is said to be eager for another central defender to be brought into Rangers before the end of the window, and may look to the free agent market again.
Another former Manchester United player, Axel Tuanzebe, is reportedly amongst the list of defensive targets for the Glasgow club. The 25 year old centre back finds himself without a club after his contract expired at Old Trafford.
Tuanzebe joined United at just 9 years old and worked his way through the academy system before going on to make 37 appearances for the first team. Among those appearances were several loan spells, with the most successful one coming at Aston Villa back in 2018-19.
Despite not going on to be a Man United regular, Tuanzebe is still a hugely talented defender and has plenty of years left to get even better.
Reports suggest the former England u21 international is currently training with Luton Town whilst he searches for a new club, with Rangers also keeping a close eye. Tuanzebe has Champions League experience and knows what it's like to play for a massive club, making this a no-brainer if you are the Rangers bosses.
Ronnie Edwards – Peterborough United
There is clearly a defensive issue Michael Beale is trying to fix with the amount of defenders reportedly of interest to Rangers.
Another name in the news recently has been young English centre back Ronnie Edwards, who is currently playing for Peterborough United in League 1.
At just 20 years old, Edwards is close to racking up 100 appearances for the Posh, with many citing the England u20 international as a player well beyond his years in terms of ability and football IQ.
There are a host of Championship clubs and even some Premier League teams interested in Edwards, which should put off any doubters who worry about his readiness to step up to a bigger league.
Right now Rangers want experience, but why not go for a player that provides both. With Edwards you are getting a player who is good enough right now but also has years of development ahead of him.
Money could be the only stumbling block with this deal, with the League 1 side asking for £10m+ for any clubs wanting to secure Edwards’ signature.
Dembo Saidykhan – (Vancouver Whitecaps)
An interesting one to look out for is the Gambia U-20 defender Dembo Saidykhan. The recent U20 World Cup has thrown many names into the spotlight of world football, with many coming from the magnificent Gambia side that topped their group before losing to eventual champions Uruguay.
Saidykhan is just 19 years old and would be one for the future, but many many European clubs are eager to sign him this summer, including Rangers.
However, it seems as though scouts in the MLS got there first, with the Gambian defender signing a short-term deal with the Vancouver Whitecaps academy in early August. This deal does not rule out another move this summer but may steer suitors into looking at other targets.
Playing for Steve Biko FC in the top division of Gambia just weeks ago, the story of Saidykhan is a fascinating one. Don't rule out the likes of Rangers looking to try and secure a long-term deal for the teenager, with the possibility of sending him out on loan to develop.
Rangers are well underway in the new Michael Beale era, and are now looking for the finishing touches to their squad as they look to improve on what was a disappointing campaign last season. A few more additions are certainly needed if they want to close the gap on their title rivals Celtic.
