Cardiff City fail in attempt to pinch Rangers transfer target as they see 'significantly higher' bid rejected
Welsh side will return to the EFL Championship next season after promotion.
Norwegian reports claim that Cardiff City have tabled a rejected bid for Rangers transfer target Jens Hjerto-Dahl that was ‘significantly higher’ than the Light Blues’ original rumoured offer.
The Tromso midfielder has attracted interest from all over Europe for his performances in the Eliteserien, as Turkish giants Besiktas have also made inroads. Local reports suggest that Rangers originally offered £5.3m for the 20-year old that was quickly shot down by the Norwegian league leaders, who value the player closer to £8.5m.
Cardiff are willing to spend big to increase their chances of back-to-back promotions. The Welsh side finished second in EFL League One last season to ensure they regained second tier status. Manager Brian Barry-Murphy has already dipped into the Scandinavian market having signed goalkeeper Nathan Trott from 16-time Danish champions FC Copenhagen.
.jpeg?trim=0,5,0,3&crop=&width=640&quality=65)
Tromso reject Cardiff City offer for Hjerto-Dahl
According to iTromso, Cardiff’s bid for Hjerto-Dahl was ‘significantly higher’ than what Rangers’ original rumoured fee was. Despite this, SunSport understand that no official bid has actually been made for the Norwegian from the Light Blues.
Hjerto-Dahl has been Tromso’s star man so far this season, scoring seven goals in 13 games already this season. The midfielder came through the ranks at his boyhood club but is now ready for a new challenge away from the club. Having been drafted into the first team at a young age, Hjerto-Dahl already has over 100 career first team appearances to his name.
At 6’ 4”, the physical presence of the midfielder makes him an attractive option for manager Derek McInnes, who is still looking to bolster his central options despite already signing Dan Neil and Cammy Devlin. The new gaffer recently confirmed the club are also looking at options at centre back and out wide.
Hjerto-Dahl keen on Rangers move
After he was on target in Tromso’s 4-0 win over Valerenga in the league, Hjerto-Dahl admitted that he’d ‘prefer’ Rangers over other potential suitors. He claimed the Old Firm derbies against Celtic are a big pull for the Govan side. He said: “I still prefer Rangers over Besiktas.
“But I am prepared for the fact that it could take a long time before a move to a new club is finalised. Of course it’s tempting to think about playing in an Old Firm match. It’s a big and very well-known local derby. I’ve watched clips from there and it looks like it’s a great match with great atmospheres in the stadiums. Of course you think about it.”