Rangers potentially priced out of move for 10-goal midfielder as 'big financial challenges' looming
Rangers would need to come up with a ‘decent fee’ in order to make this deal happen.
Rangers have been linked with an exciting goalscoring midfielder amid their struggles to keep up with rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premiership so far this season. However, financial concerns at Ibrox could price the club out of a move in their search to bolster Philippe Clement’s ranks.
Entering the international break, Rangers remain nine points adrift of reigning champions and league leaders Celtic. Despite usually being right up there breathing down their rivals’ necks, the Gers have been replaced this season by Aberdeen, who have matched every move the Hoops have made so far this campaign.
According to Football Insider, the Light Blues are ‘monitoring’ attacking midfielder Darius Olaru, who currently represents Romanian top flight side FCSB. Clement is looking to add more creativity to his engine room and with 10 goals and five assists in all competitions so far this season, Olaru certainly fits the criteria.
FI’s Pete O’Rourke has revealed that if Rangers want to pursue the 26-year-old, FCSB would demand a ‘decent fee’ in order to consider letting him leave. Olaru is currently under contract until 2028. This being said, Rangers are ‘not in any position’ to be splashing the cash on big money signings following their recent financial revelations.
Rangers recently released their annual accounts, revealing the club had made a net loss of £17.2 million throughout 2023/24 which has only broadened the financial gap between them and Celtic. Also according to Football Insider, the Hoops have more than £75 million extra cash more than their rivals in the bank.
The Ibrox side’s core revenue did increase from £83.8 million during the 2022/23 period, to a record £88.3 million. Rangers’ total income sat at £94.2 million but was still significantly lower than their opponents. Celtic’s revenue rose to their own club record of £124.6 million.
Because of their financial stretches, ‘ready-made funds are not available’ to Clement and Rangers right now, as ‘big financial challenges’ are looming.
Chief financial officer James Taylor recently said: “I think the thing to highlight here is there was a £17million bottom line post-tax loss this year. That number - whilst again is something we should acknowledge and observe - is something that we recognise in and understand how we are going to move forward and fix.
“A lot of that loss is coming down to the impact of the player trading model and this year taking impairments on players from the recent past that we have moved on in the summer. Again, one of the big talking points over the summer has been the normalisation of the first-team wage bill from the clubs perspective.