TIME is of the essence with Joe Aribo having departed to pastures new in the English Premier League, with a glaring need existing in the midfield department for Rangers.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side have plenty of numbers in midfield, yet none of them can be relied upon to put the ball in the net consistently, which proved a particular problem area for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership last term.
Here are some candidates to fill that gap, starting with those of a goalscoring persuasion:
1) Pep Biel - FC Kobenhavn - 25-years-old
If you want goals in your side then Pep Biel is your man. The Spaniard is a second striker type of attacking midfielder, of a similar mould to the way Aribo was deployed in the early days under van Bronckhorst. The 25-year-old is an attacking midfielder that does more attacking than midfielding, timing his runs into the box with great consistency and boasting a sweet left foot that regularly converts from distance.
11 goals in Denmark this season and seven in the Europa Conference League, Biel has the additional value of being able to play as a centre forward and being a proficient set-piece taker. Contracted to 2024, the Danish side would command a sizeable fee.
Estimated value - £5m
2) Selim Amallah - Standard Liege - 25-years-old
As close of a replacement for Aribo as Rangers could feasibly attract. The Morocco international is technically sound, possesses a decent frame in order to hold opponents off, and is capable of putting on a show. Despite having a down year last season, the 25-year-old hit 15 goals the season before. In a possession-dominant side such as Rangers, those numbers infront of goal are likely to translate well. In addition, Amallah has made it clear that he wants to leave Standard Liege and with a year to go on his contract, the 25-year-old should get his move. The only drawback is that Rangers would have to contend with his absence to the African Cup of Nations given Morocco's historical prowess in the tournament.
Estimated value - £5m
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3) Dani De Wit - AZ Alkmaar - 24-years-old
De Wit boasts the exact profile that Rangers should be pursuing. Built like a centre forward, the 24-year-old can be likened to a supercharged version of Scott Arfield. His role is centred on the timing of his movements, as well as finishing and some physicality.
Sure, De Wit won't get close technically to Aribo, but in van Bronckhorst's system that isn't of high importance. Crucially, he can run and score. De Wit netted double digits in the Eredivisie last term and he displayed great variation in his goals - right place, right time finishes, as well as snapshots and headers. The 24-year-old - who is contracted until 2024 in the Netherlands - would slot in perfectly to the system and rotating him with Arfield would bring good consistency to the role.
Estimated value - £4m
Those listed above are players who should experience little problems in acclimatising to the role for Rangers. Below are some more left-field options for the Ibrox recruitment team to consider:
1) Hugo Vetlessen - Bodo/Glimt - 22-years-old
The Rangers Review scouted Vetlessen earlier this summer, with his movements beyond the striker and athleticism on the ground likely to prove the perfect fit in Rangers' system. However, he has yet to score goals at a good rate so far in his career, hence his inclusion is more of a projection.
Estimated value - £2m
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2) Jean Onana - Bordeaux - 22-years-old
Onana mainly played as a No.6 for Bordeaux, but he has shown an ability when pushed forward and, while he has never been a true goalscorer, he does boast an unbelievably powerful strike. Onana would be Rangers' best No.6 by a considerable distance, and he could perhaps develop into a No.8 over time. The 22-year-old would walk into the current Rangers team and, with Bordeaux plummeting down the divisions in France due to financial irregularities, he may be available at a discount price. Although he's contracted until 2026, the French club will be keen to extract value for the midfielder.
Estimated value - likely to fluctuate given Bordeaux's financial woes
Elsewhere, with the Gers having dipped their feet into the loan market in recent years, Cesare Casadei of Inter Milan looks to be a dream of a young player, while PSG's Eric Ebimbe would be a promising addition, albeit with very little chance of securing either player on a permanent deal.
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