Rangers are weighing up whether to make a fresh swoop for Fares Ghedjemis as they go toe to toe with Celtic over the Algeria star. The Ibrox giants have so far made two bids for the winger, the latest worth £8million, who their Old Firm rivals are desperate to land as well.
Yokota deal close
Rangers hope they'll have Japanese ace Daisuke Yokota on board for Thursday's Europe League opener but aim to add more. Derek McInnes and side will fly out for Poland on Wednesday to prepare for their showdown with Jagiellonia Białystok.
And they are racing to get a deal for Hannover winger Yokota tied up before they run out at the Chortens Arena. The Ibrox club have thrashed out a £2.75m fee for the 26-year-old wideman, with the package also including further potential add-ons.
The Light Blues still have to finalise personal terms and sort the work permit and visa arrangements required for the uncapped former Gent ace to take part in Thursday's Euro curtain-raiser. But McInnes will be desperate to slice through the red tape and get his ninth summer signing completed having watched the Ibrox outfit disappoint on their first Premiership outing of the new season.
Ghedjemis chase continues
Speaking after Friday night's 1-1 draw with Dundee United at Tannadice, the new gaffer refused to hide his frustration with the lack of progress on the transfer front having made clear he wants better options out wide. Now Gers are stepping up their efforts to recruit Yokota, who scored five times for his 2.Bundesliga side last term while also chipping in with another four assists.
Ibrox chiefs registered their 25-man squad with UEFA on Monday night but have scope to make changes up until 24 hours before kick-off. While recruitment chief Dan Purdy works to get the paperwork sorted, chief exec Jim Gillespie is now deciding whether to return with an improved offer for in-demand Frosinone winger Ghedjemis.
But Serie A new boys Frosinone are standing firm on their demands for at least £13m having knocked back the latest proposal from Glasgow. Celtic also remain interested in the 23-year-old wideman and Parkhead bosses could yet return to the table having failed with their own £6m swoop.
Rangers are now considering their options but acknowledge the Italians are unlikely to budge from their valuation on Ghedjemis after his recent call up to Algeria's World Cup squad. Frosinone president Maurizio Stirpe insists the club do not have to sell Ghedjemis.
Speaking at the club's season launch, the supremo said: “If I had been left alone, selling Ghedjemis would have been a necessity tomorrow morning. Today, it's something we can even ignore.” However, Renzo Castagnini insisted the club would continue to listen to offers for their prize asset.
He added: “The president was clear: first, selling him had to be a necessity, but today it may not be. We know we can keep him. However, it's a club's duty to listen to offers.”
