Rangers 'holding out' for £25m transfer fee as 'fresh contact' made over commanding defender
The latest Rangers transfer news with the Ibrox club potentially in line for a record breaking departure.
With the summer transfer window now officially open there are likely to be plenty of incomings and outgoing across the country in the next few weeks.
Rangers have gone through a whirlwind few days head coach Danny Rohl set to depart Ibrox and Hearts boss Derek McInnes arriving as his successor. Once the managerial change has taken place the Ibrox club can get back to the business of strengthening their first team squad.
There are already a number of areas that will be priorities and they could be about to receive a significant boost to their funds to help with that. It comes amid reports that a current Rangers star could leave the club for a record transfer fee.
Bayern Leverkusen ‘make fresh contact’ with Rangers over defender as record transfer on the cards
Per a report from TeamTalk, there has been ‘fresh contact’ made with Rangers by German outfit Bayern Leverkusen over centre back Emmanuel Fernandez. The Bundesliga side are said to be ‘very keen’ to sign the 24-year-old and have ‘stepped up their pursuit’.
The same article claims that Rangers are ‘holding out’ for a fee of £25 million for the defender. However, any deal would also include significant add ons that could increase that fee and it could eventually rise as high as £30 million or even £35 million.
The would significantly eclipse the current record transfer fee received by the Glasgow club which remains the £20 million sale of Calvin Bassey to Ajax in 2022. Rangers paid just £3.5 million to sign Fernandez from Peterborough United last summer meaning a fee of the magnitude being reporters would represent and incredible piece of business for the Glasgow club just 12 months on from his arrival.
It comes after reports earlier this week that claimed Borussia Dortmund were also keen on signing Fernandez, who they viewed as a replacement for retiring German international Niklas Sule. Belgian outfit Club Brugge have also been credited with an interest in the Nigerian international.
Rangers defender Fernandez earning transfer interest after impressive debut season at Ibrox
Fernandez was part of Brentford’s youth academy before beginning his senior career with English Football League outfit Gillingham. He couldn't breakthrough at the League Two club and spent time on loan at non-league clubs Sheppey United and Margate before signing for Ramsgate of the Isthmian League South East Division in 2020.
However, Peterborough recognised his potential and quickly brought him to London Road before loaning him out to Spalding United. He then had a loan spell with Barnet before returning to Peterborough and breaking into their first team.
His form for Rangers this season has seen him recognised on the international stage where he earned his first cap for Nigerian and has represented his country three times in total. He signed a for year contract when he arrived at Rangers, meaning he still has three years remaining on that deal so the club will be able to hold out for a significant transfer fee before letting him leave.