Glasgow Rangers’ transfer dealings has been a major source of concern since the summer of 2021.
Many managers have come and gone throughout that time, but none have been able to claim success in the transfer market.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst spent a lot of money on players like Ben Davies, Rabbi Matondo, and Ridvan Yilmaz, but they haven’t done anything to light up Ibrox.
Michael Beale had some money to spend, but like his predecessor, he wasted it on disappointments like Sam Lammers and Jose Cifuentes, who are currently playing elsewhere.
Last summer, Philippe Clement brought Robin Propper and Nedim Bajrami to Glasgow, but they failed to live up to the expectations that accompanied their arrival.
Of course, not all signings have been unsuccessful. Nico Raskin has emerged as one of the club’s greatest performers this season, earning Player of the Year honours. Todd Cantwell was reliable in stretches, and Hamza Igamane may turn a profit for the Light Blues after an impressive rookie season.
Mohamed Diomande, who joined the club on loan in January 2024, may become one of its most important players.
Mohamed Diomande has been a great signing for Rangers
The Ivorian midfielder joined the Gers on a six-month loan transfer in the 2024 winter window, which would become permanent in the summer for a fee of around £4.3 million.
It was a risky move, especially given the stakes, but it paid off. During his loan period, he shown his skill by scoring twice and assisting once, and it appeared like he may become a vital role in Clement’s midfield.
Diomande’s ability to run with the ball and glide past opponents makes him a success at either position.
With Ianis Hagi and Tom Lawrence expected to go this summer, there may be opportunities for someone like Diomande to play higher up the pitch on a more frequent basis. This season, the 23-year-old has six goals and nine assists across all competitions for the Light Blues.
His game is well-suited to a more advanced position. When compared to his positional contemporaries in the Europa League this season, the midfielder is in the top 6% for assists (0.23) and the top 11% for successful take-ons (1.14) per 90 minutes.
He has yet to hit his peak playing years, and if Rangers can keep Diomande under the new management, he has the potential to become the team’s new fulcrum.Whoever takes over the Glasgow giants on a permanent basis will want to make their own signings. It appears that the 49ers Enterprises have targeted a Brazilian midfielder as one of the first of a new era this summer.
Rangers need a new midfielder
Several names have already been linked with a move to Rangers ahead of the summer transfer market, which opens in a few weeks.
The 49ers will seek to construct a team capable of challenging Celtic for domestic dominance, with the hope of returning to the top tier of Scottish football.
The Scottish Sun reported last week that the Light Blues had identified Basel loanee Metinho as a major target this summer.
He is presently valued at £4 million, which is a significant spend for the team. A future relocation could be contingent on whether the new manager can raise finances by selling some deadwood.
He will return to his parent club, Troyes, at the end of the season, but with Championship clubs showing interest, quick action is required.
Raskin is expected to leave for England this summer, thus the 49ers will need to find a suitable replacement for the Belgian international.
If Metinho arrives in Scotland, he might fill Raskin’s role, allowing him to thrive alongside Diomande in midfield.
Why Rangers must sign Metinho
Metinho came through the Fluminense system and was considered one of the brightest talents of his generation.
Indeed, in 2021, SelecaoTalk praised him, calling him “Brazil’s best from his generation.” “He’s known as ‘Little Pogba’.”
“He’s got everything, so complete. Very similar to Gerson who also came through the Fluminense academy.”Moving to Europe later that year, the Brazilians struggled to make much of an impact. An 18-month loan spell at Sparta Rotterdam saw him demonstrate glimpses of his talent.
| Comparing Raskin and Metinho domestically this season | ||
|---|---|---|
| Metric (per 90) | Raskin | Metinho |
| Tackles | 2.9 | 3 |
| Interceptions | 0.7 | 1.1 |
| Possession lost | 10.1 | 6.2 |
| Total duels won | 6.6 | 4.7 |
| Balls recovered | 5.7 | 4.5 |
| Accurate passes | 46.7 | 29.3 |
It wasn’t until the 22-year-old relocated to Basel earlier this year that he matured enough to perform consistently well.
Metinho, who plays in the heart of the midfield, contributed significantly to the club’s first league triumph since 2017.
In ten games, he averages three tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game domestically, while recovering 4.5 passes per game for Switzerland.
Furthermore, his ability to maintain possession is exceptional, with only 6.2 turnovers per game. The midfielder even wins a remarkable 4.7 total duels per game for Basel, resulting in a 66% success rate.
These statistics would not only make a good Raskin replacement, but also someone who could perform effectively behind Diomande at the base of the midfield.
As indicated, the Ivorian star appears to do better in more advanced roles. Having someone like Metinho sweeping up everything behind him would undoubtedly give Diomande plenty of space to attack.
Much will rely on the funds available to the new manager this summer. If the Brazilian is still available for about £4 million by the time he arrives at Ibrox, the transfer could be worth considering.
He might be a player who generates a significant profit for Glasgow in the coming years.
