There has been a trend in recent seasons of Rangers returning for players who have previously been linked with a move to the club but Philippe Clement brings a fresh approach to our transfer policy.
Much of the squad, even from Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s rein, was built under the influence of Steven Gerrard and Michael Beale but a new direction is needed.
Under the England legend, Rangers were linked with – and signed a few – players that you wouldn’t expect but Philippe Clement should resist the temptation to sign a free agent international who was once on Gerrard’s radar.
Rangers and Philippe Clement should dodge former target
The most outrageous name mentioned when the former Liverpool skipper was in charge at Ibrox has to be Luis Suarez.
The veteran striker is set for MLS after a spell at Gremio and when he was said to be a target for Rangers, the fact that he was still scoring goals in La Liga was enough to tell you how ridiculous the rumour was – Philippe Clement would love a player of his calibre now though.
One that emerged in the winter of 2020 carried a little more substance though.
Rangers were flying domestically and on their way to a first Scottish Premiership title in nearly a decade, if Philippe Clement thinks money is tight now, it was even tighter then.
No fans in Ibrox meant income was heavily affected which in turn left Gerrard, largely, with what he had in his squad other than the key arrivals of Leon Balogun and Kemar Roofe plus Ianis Hagi making his loan deal permanent.
When 24-times capped England international Jesse Lingard was linked on loan, it didn’t seem as far-fetched as something similar would now.
He was only 27-years old but had fallen out of favour at Old Trafford and was available on a short-term deal.
Lingard ended up at West Ham United and was a huge success, but it was the last time he played consistently and to the best of his ability.
That he was recently unable to agree terms on a move to Saudi Arabia because of his demands speaks volumes about his priorities nowadays.
The pre-contract and free agent transfer market is one that a Rangers manager should always utilise and Philippe Clement is no different, however, on this occasion, a previous link with a move to Ibrox isn’t enough for out of work Jesse Lingard to be considered.
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