Rangers are close to securing a £4.6 million deal for Partizan Belgrade captain Vanja Dragojevic, but their hopes of signing Tromso star Jens Hjerto-Dahl are diminishing. The Ibrox club had been tracking the Norwegian Under-21 playmaker for over a year, but Cardiff City's interest has complicated matters.
Hjerto-Dahl Deal Fading
Reports in Norway suggested that a Rangers delegation had flown to the Arctic Circle to beat Cardiff to the 20-year-old's signature. However, Record Sport understands this is untrue, with the Rangers hierarchy remaining in Spain where manager Derek McInnes is concluding the squad's training camp. Highly-placed Ibrox sources have indicated the deal is now in danger of collapsing.
Rangers had been leading the race for Hjerto-Dahl, who is valued at £8.5 million, after the player expressed a preference for Glasgow over Turkish side Besiktas. Norwegian media claimed Rangers lodged an unsuccessful £5.3 million bid last week. But Cardiff have now entered the fray with a £5.5 million offer that was rejected, though they are expected to bid again soon.
Dragojevic Deal Progressing
While the Hjerto-Dahl pursuit stumbles, Rangers are confident of securing Dragojevic. The club initially tabled a £3.8 million package earlier this month, which was rejected. They have now increased their offer to £4.6 million, including a 10 percent sell-on clause, and are optimistic of finalizing the transfer for the 20-year-old midfielder.
McInnes is looking to strengthen his team's spine and is also seeking an attacking midfielder, a right winger, and a left-sided centre-back. Discussions around Philadelphia Union's Olwethu Makhanya have cooled in recent days. Rangers have already signed Lawrence Shankland, Ben Godfrey, Dan Neil, Ross McCrorie, Cammy Devlin, and goalkeeper Ivor Pandur this summer, with five more arrivals expected.
