Rangers Transfer Activity Heats Up as Hjerto-Dahl Saga Continues

Rangers will walk out at Tannadice on Friday night with a new manager, a new captain and seven fresh faces in the squad. Derek McInnes has wasted no time reshaping the dressing room. The real work, though, is only just starting.

With Europa League qualifiers on the horizon and the final month of the window approaching, Ibrox is braced for a frantic spell of deals both in and out. The chequebook is open, but so is the departure lounge.

Hjerto-Dahl race turns into high‑stakes chase

Midfield has already been reinforced with Ross McCrorie and Cammy Devlin, yet one name continues to dominate the conversation: Jens Hjerto-Dahl.

Rangers have chased the Tromso playmaker for months and saw a £5.4m bid knocked back earlier this month. The 20-year-old has admitted he is “tempted” by the prospect of pulling on a Rangers shirt, but the queue for his signature grows longer by the day.

Cardiff City have pushed hardest so far, lodging an offer close to £8m. Hull City, newly promoted to the Premier League, are now also credited with serious interest, according to reports in Norway.

Tromso transfer chief Lars Petter Kræmer-Andressen insists there have been no fresh formal approaches and Hjerto-Dahl remains with the squad for Thursday’s Conference League qualifier second leg against Hradec Kralove. For Rangers, the message is clear: pay up, or risk watching a long-term target disappear into England’s top two tiers.

Makhanya deal closes in as McInnes eyes defensive steel

While the Hjerto-Dahl pursuit drags on, one deal is almost over the line. South Africa international Olwethu Makhanya is poised to become signing number eight.

McInnes has already admitted the 22-year-old could be registered in time for the Premiership opener at Dundee United. That’s how advanced this move is.

Makhanya has forced the issue. Unhappy at Philadelphia Union, he went AWOL last week after a move to the Belgian Pro League was blocked. Rangers have stepped into the chaos, agreeing a package worth around £3.3m for the centre-back, who made South Africa’s World Cup squad but did not feature.

A defender with a point to prove, a manager rebuilding his back line – the fit is obvious.

Antman exit gathers pace as Anderlecht circle

Not everyone will be part of this new era. Oliver Antman looks set to be one of the first significant departures.

The Finland winger arrived from Go Ahead Eagles with promise and initially caught the eye at Ibrox, but his influence faded and McInnes has not been convinced. Game time has dried up. Now so has his future in Glasgow.

Anderlecht are leading the chase, pushing for a deal north of £4m. Derby County and FC Twente are also in the mix, but the Belgian giants are driving the talks. For Rangers, cashing in on a fringe wide man could be a smart way to reload in key areas.

Markelo lined up as potential wide reinforcement

Selling Antman would leave an already thin wing department even lighter. Rangers have a response lined up.

Coventry City’s Jahnoah Markelo has emerged as a loan target, with the Ibrox recruitment team keen on a season-long deal. The 23-year-old caught the eye at FC Zurich, earning a £4.3m switch to England a year ago.

His first campaign with Coventry under Frank Lampard, though, was stop-start – just six appearances as the Sky Blues surged back to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years. Rangers see opportunity where others see a slow start: a talented wide player in need of minutes and a platform.

Souttar future clouded by Godfrey arrival

At centre-back, the picture is changing fast. The loan signing of England international Ben Godfrey from Atalanta has thrown John Souttar’s future into sharp focus.

Souttar only signed a new deal earlier this year, committing to Rangers for the coming season, but circumstances have shifted. With Godfrey arriving and Makhanya likely to follow, the Scotland defender suddenly finds himself in the middle of a transfer tug of war.

Leicester City, Sheffield United and Swansea City are all interested. Leicester’s appeal is obvious, with Souttar’s younger brother already at the club, but all three sides see him as a proven option who can step straight into a Championship or Premier League back line. Rangers now have a decision to make: keep depth, or cash in while the market is hot.

McCausland waits on right move as foreign interest grows

On the flanks, Ross McCausland is edging towards the exit but only on his own terms.

The Northern Ireland international spent last season on loan at Aris in Cyprus and is open to another move abroad. Interest has arrived from clubs across Europe and MLS, with Rangers waiting to see who will meet their valuation.

League One sides in England have already made enquiries, but McCausland is not entertaining a drop to that level. Luton Town have also spoken to Rangers, yet cannot come close to a fee or the winger’s current wages, leaving that move effectively dead.

McCausland has impressed McInnes in pre-season and still has a year left on his deal, so Rangers are under no immediate pressure to sell. The right offer, from the right club, will decide his fate.

Cozier-Duberry remains on radar – but at a price

Amario Cozier-Duberry is another wide option who has never fully left the Rangers conversation.

The Brighton youngster, formerly of Arsenal, shone on loan at Bolton last season, helping them win promotion back to the Championship. His performances have only strengthened Brighton’s belief that he can become a major asset.

That belief comes at a cost. Any permanent deal is expected to be in the region of £5m, a significant outlay for Rangers in a summer where multiple positions still need attention. Cozier-Duberry remains admired at Ibrox, but prising him away from the south coast will not be cheap.

Mendy interest shows how market has moved

One name that got away tells its own story. Nobel Mendy, once firmly on Rangers’ radar, is now the subject of a £15.4m bid from Premier League newcomers Hull City.

The Senegal international full-back chose a move from Real Betis to Rayo Vallecano instead of Ibrox last year. That decision now looks lucrative. Spanish reports say Hull have tabled a huge offer to take him to England.

For Rangers, it is a reminder of the market they operate in. Identify talent early, move decisively, and hope the numbers stay within reach.

The new season starts on Friday. The real drama, though, will unfold in the weeks that follow, as McInnes and Rangers try to turn a frantic window into a squad capable of finally wrestling back the title.