By the time the transfer window shuts on 1 September, how many new signings will Rangers have made?
To date, Russell Martin has made seven additions to his squad since being unveiled as the 20th permanent manager in Rangers’ history, with many more forecast to follow.
Now, could the club be about to break their modern-day transfer record to sign a “special talent”?
Rangers' search for a new winger
Earlier this week, on Tuesday night, the Martin era began with a crucial 2-0 victory over Panathinaikos in a Champions League qualifier at Ibrox.
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It was the Greek side who dominated the first half, Jack Butland pulling off a string of impressive saves, before teenager Findlay Curtis lashed home the opener shortly after the interval, with substitute Djeidi Gassama then doing similar 12 minutes from time.
Thus, the Light Blues will take a decent, if not unassailable, advantage to Athens next Wednesday, looking to rubber stamp their spot in the third qualifying round, where Servette are likely to await, after their 1-0 victory over Viktoria Plzeň on the road.
Before that crucial second leg at the Spyros Louis Olympic Stadium, could supporters also have a new signing to get excited about?
Well, as reported by David Ornstein of The Athletic, Rangers have ‘made an offer’ to Crystal Palace as they seek to sign winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi. That proposal was rejected by the Eagles, although negotiations remain ‘ongoing’.
Ornstein outlines that the offer was an initial loan, but containing an obligation to buy, which could be worth as much as £10m, should certain performance criteria be met.
This would make the 22-year-old the second-most expensive signing in the club’s history, behind only Tore André Flo, who joined in 2000, surpassing Ryan Kent’s post-liquidation record.
Despite that initial rejection, Rangers’ pursuit continues, albeit while needing to act fast given that there is ‘interest from elsewhere’, so will Rak-Sakyi soon swap Selhurst for Ibrox?
How Jesurun Rak-Sakyi would improve Rangers
Having been released by Chelsea as a 17-year-old, Rak-Sakyi then joined Crystal Palace, actually making his senior debut against his former club at Stamford Bridge in August 2021.
In total, he’s appeared just ten times for the Eagles, seven of which have been as a substitute, but has impressed during two loan spells.
First, he spent the 2022/23 campaign nine miles across South London at Charlton Athletic, scoring 15 goals in 43 EFL League One appearances, with then-manager Dean Holden labelling him a “fantastic young player”, describing him as “humble, calm and composed”, believing “he has a real chance of going to the top level”.
Then, he was loaned out again last season, this time to Sheffield United, really bursting onto the scene at Bramall Lane, scoring seven times in the EFL Championship as the Blades reached the play-off final, heartbreakingly beaten by Sunderland at Wembley.
Edward Walker of the Matchday Man called him a “truly special talent”, while Matt Woosnam of The Athletic praised his dribbling ability and ‘eagerness to learn’, with Nizaar Kinsella of Goal impressed by his ‘technical ability’, forecasting he could go to the very top.
Elsewhere, Adam Oxley of BBC Sport notes that he enjoyed an ‘excellent season’ at Sheffield United, predominantly deployed on the right flank, allowing him to cut inside on his left foot, highlighting his ‘pace and trickery’ as well as his penalty box threat.
Well, right-wing is certainly a position of need at Rangers, underlined by the fact Kieran Dowell, who was shipped out on loan to Birmingham City last season, started in that spot against Panathinaikos.
Last season, Václav Černý was one of the club’s star players, occupying that position, with the table below emphasising the Czech international’s importance.
Minutes
3,933
5th
Goals
18
2nd
Assists
9
3rd
European goals
6
1st
Big chances created
9
4th
Shots
136
1st
Shot-creating actions
42
1st
Progressive carries
40
1st
Average SofaScore rating
7.40
2nd
As the table outlines, Černý was, arguably, Rangers’ most important attacking player last season, scoring six times as part of their run to the Europa League quarter-finals; only Bruno Fernandes, Kasper Waarst Høgh and Ayoub El Kaabi bagged more in the competition.
Nevertheless, Černý will not be returning to Govan following his loan spell from Wolfsburg, so could Rak-Sakyi be the replacement they are searching for?
Well, let’s assess his statistics in the EFL Championship last season to answer that question.
Minutes
1,725
279th
Goals
7
42nd
Shots
46
74th
Shots per 90
2.4
35th
Shot-creating actions
71
98th
Attempted take-ons
95
31st
Take-on success %
49.5%
4th
Progressive carries
73
45th
Carries into the box
49
15th
*minimum 90 take-ons attempted.
As the table outlines, despite featuring in less than 42% of Sheffield United’s regular season minutes, Rak-Sakyi ranks generally very highly for all attacking metrics, most notably when it comes to dribbling, namely take-ons and progressive carries.
Thus, it is clear that the 22-year-old is a serious talent, and one that could be exactly what Rangers are searching for.
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