Rangers and Derby County 'offered' chance to sign midfielder with 'X-factor' by agents as key link emerges

Rangers and Derby County have reportedly been offered a chance to sign a Serie A midfielder - but the Rams hold an emotional connection.

The Light Blues have already signed one midfielder in Tochi Chukwuani from Sturm Graz but Connor Barron has suffered an injury. That could see them dip back into the engine room market and one player they could reportedly have is Emil Bohinen, on loan at Spezia from fellow Italian club Genoa.

He emerged as a top prospect in Norway at Stabaek before joining CSKA Moscow in 2021. Bohinen joined Italian club Salernitana a year later and arrived at Genoa in 2024. Amid a change in agents, he has reportedly been offered as an option to Rangers and Derby County, as per Calcio Spezia. Derby hold a link to the midfielder though as he was born there when his father, Lars Bohinen, played for the club.

Emil Bohinen to Rangers and Derby County rumour

It’s claimed: “Called up by Stroppa for Venezia 's away match , as we anticipated yesterday, last Saturday's 3-1 victory over Reggiana, Norwegian midfielder Emil Bohinen didn't play a single minute of the match, remaining on the bench for the entire match. It all seemed to be a prelude to his imminent move to Spezia , but now the player seems to be procrastinating once again.

“After his initial enthusiastic approval at the end of December, Bohinen then changed agents who had offered him the possibility of wearing the shirt of Glasgow Rangers or Derby County, a Championship team from the city where the player was born, but in the end nothing came of it.”

How interested Derby County or Rangers are is not known but it’s suggested that both have had the player put on their radar. He comes highly regarded however from Norway. Speaking during his playing time in Scandinavia, Norwegian football expert and now director of sports at Valerenga, Joacim Jonsson, told TNT: “Stabaek only signed a two-year agreement with Bohinen before the season.

How good is Emil Bohinen amid Rangers and Derby County rumour?

“Whether there was uncertainty about the player or this was his own choice, I do not know, but that means Stabaekk must either sell now this winter or extend that deal. After the sale of the Borkeeiet to Brondby, Bohinen has really taken responsibility and been leading the Stabaek midfield.

“He was more work to do on his offensive game, but we'll see that eventually. He also has the X-factor when it comes to his left foot. The fact that he only has one year left on the deal, and that the winter window is the worst window to sell in, will certainly affect his price tag.”

Bohinen said of his summer move to Venezia: "I chose to come to Venice because it’s a club with a very interesting project. As soon as I received the offer from the club, I immediately accepted. This will be a season in which we will try to achieve the goals that have been set, and I’m here for that, putting myself completely at the disposal of the coach and the team. I can’t wait to get on the pitch in front of our fans at the Penzo."