Rangers have been told they would have to make a 'historic bid' if they are to tempt Swedish club Hacken to sell their prized asset Benie Traore.

The Ibrox club have been linked with a move for the Ivory Coast striker, who has scored 15 goals in 19 competitive games this season and reports in Sweden have suggested they the Gothenburg club are looking for around £6million.

Celtic have also been credited with an interest for the 20-year-old hitman, along with English Premier League new boys Sheffield United.

Hacken's record transfer sale was when they sold Patrik Walemark to Feyenoord two years ago for £3.5 million.

And the club's sports director, Martin Ericsson, has made it clear it will need a far higher offer if they are to release their star man.
He said: "There is a reasonable chance with us that there will be a sale of Benie in the summer.

"But it also depends entirely on what offers we receive and it also has to be something very good for us to consider it.

"I will not comment on any exact figure for a sale, but it is clear that it would have to be historic amounts for us.

"For us, it is a win-win situation because we are in a good position where we can get paid well for our players or we keep them."

Hacken were Swedish champions last year and are currently third in the table behind Malmo and Elfsborg.

Meanwhile, Zeb Jacobs intends to make Rangers one of the leading clubs in the world at developing young players after being promoted to the role of academy director.

The Belgian was initially recruited by Gers as head of academy coaching in 2021, with current manager Michael Beale – who was first-team coach at the time – involved in attracting him to Ibrox.

Jacobs, who was head of development at Royal Antwerp in his homeland prior to moving to Scotland, will step up to take on a position recently vacated by Craig Mulholland, whose looming departure was announced at the start of May.

“I am excited about this new chapter as the academy director of Rangers Football Club,” Jacobs told the Gers’ website. “The opportunity to develop the best young talent in Scotland is incredibly exciting, and I am ready to make a lasting impact.

“With the resources and elite infrastructure already in place, I firmly believe that our academy has the potential to become world-leading in player development.

“My vision is crystal clear: ‘create the most exciting learning environment in sports’.

“By maximising the potential of every player and nurturing their skills, we aim to produce a new generation of players who can excel not only for Rangers in Scotland but also on the European stage.

“My relationship with Michael Beale, our CEO and board is already very strong, and we will look to use that to maximise the pathway from the academy to the first team.

“I am grateful for this opportunity and truly excited for the bright future ahead.”