Sporting director addresses swirling £2m Rangers transfer rumour as Danny Rohl targets upgrade in key position
Hammarby's sporting director says they're desperate to keep hold of a man Rangers want
Rangers have yet to make their move to sign transfer target Hampus Skoglund - with his parent club Hammarby revealing they are desperate to keep hold of the defender this summer.
Following the recent capture of Lawrence Shankland from Premiership rivals Hearts, Light Blues boss Danny Rohl has turned his attention to strengthening the backline, with his options depleted now loanees Nasser Djiga, Derek Cornelius, Jayden Meghoma an Max Aarons have all returned to their parent clubs.
The Ibrox club have been heavily linked with Excelsior Rotterdam centre-back Casper Widell this week, and he could also be joined by his former Sweden Under-21 team-mate Skoglund, who has emerged on Rangers radar after a string of impressive performances in the Swedish Allsvenskan.
It was reported by Rangers News that ‘direct contact’ had already been made with the 22-year-old’s representatives over the potential availability of the right-back, who is valued at around £2m.
Skoglund has also been attracting interest from clubs in Germany, Italy and France, but Hammarby are determined to retain one of their star performers having tied down the player on a new deal that runs until December 2029.
That will ensure Skoglund won’t come cheap and the club’s sporting director Mikael Hjelmberg is eager to keep him among their ranks as he responded to a query about the player’s future amid links to Rangers.
“Hampus is an important part of the team,” he declared. “We have a very good squad and my goal is to try to keep that squad as intact as possible. I have no idea how serious Rangers' interest in him is because I haven't heard a sound from them.
“The transfer window hasn't opened, but of course, I have a fairly close dialogue with Hampus' agent. But there haven't been any concrete talks between us and any clubs yet. Previously, there had been concrete interest, but not this year.”
Rohl keen to act quickly in bid to upgrade key position
The right-back position is an area head coach Rohl is keen to invest in following the recent departure of long-serving captain James Tavernier. It leaves injury-prone Dujon Sterling as Rangers only alternative option in a key area of the pitch as things stand.
Discussions remain ongoing and a resolution is expected sooner rather than later, but Skoglund is not the only option under consideration by Rangers ahead of the transfer window opening later this month.