Rangers star 'will undergo a medical in the next 24 hours' as 'shock' transfer exit route opens
Light Blues set to receive profit on fringe player
Rangers winger Oliver Antman has become the ‘shock’ subject of a £4m bid from Anderlecht as he’s set for a medical within the ‘next 24 hours’ in Belgium.
The 24-year old hasn’t been able to make his mark at Ibrox, despite high expectations from when he signed from Eredivisie side Go Ahead Eagles 12 months ago. Antman scored once in 28 appearances last season and was often deployed from the bench. Rangers are set to make a £1m profit on the player on what they bought him for, which is likely to be reinvested straight back into the team.
The Finland international - capped 31 times - is one of few recognised right wingers in the Rangers squad, which has now become an area manager Derek McInnes is looking to strengthen. Coventry City wide man Jahnoah Markelo is being monitored, with a potential loan deal on the cards. Brighton winger Amario Cozier-Duberry, who impressed during a short term spell at Bolton last season, also remains under consideration. Former Rangers loanee Vaclav Cerny is perhaps the most ambitious right wing target, given his high wages at current club Besiktas.
‘Shock’ bid comes in for Antman as Gers turn profit
According to the Sun: “Rangers are set to offload misfit winger Oliver Antman to Anderlecht for £4.5million. SunSport can reveal the Belgian club have made a shock move for the Finnish wide boy. Antman will undergo a medical in the next 24 hours with the paperwork set to seal his Ibrox exit – with the fee set to be reinvested into the Light Blues squad.”
The 34-time Belgian champions beat Dutch side FC Twente to Antman’s signature, as they were also reportedly interested. Despite never being able to hit the ground running at Ibrox, the winger has shown he possesses quality elsewhere. He topped the Eredivisie’s assist charts with Go Ahead Eagles before his Rangers move and has been a regular for his country since his first cap at the age of 21.
Where will the money for Antman go?
Antman’s departure will leave Findlay Curtis, Djeidi Gassama and Ross McCausland as Rangers’ only options out wide, as signing a right winger suddenly becomes an urgent matter. During pre-season, McInnes deployed midfielder Mohamed Diomande on the right hand side in a position which was clearly unfamiliar to the Ivorian. McCausland - now the only natural right winger among the current crop - enjoyed a loan spell at Aris Limassol in Cypurs last season, but thrusting him back into the fold straight away at this level would be a gamble.
Of the linked names, Cerny would be the more popular option among supporters given his heroics during his loan spell from Wolfsburg in the 24/25 season. The former Czechia international bagged 18 goals and nine assists across 52 appearances for the Light Blues. He will currently be on a high wage bill at Besiktas, but with the Turkish giants having just signed Arsenal’s Premier League winner Leandro Trossard and looking for an ambitious Mo Salah transfer from Liverpool, Cerny could end up being surplus to requirements.