Rangers working on nine deals as 49ers grant Russell Martin transfer wish

Daily Record

a day ago

The Light Blues are in the market for new faces after a sluggish start to the season domestically
Rangers are in the midst of a major rebuild under Russell Martin - with the new boss having to put his style of play in place while churning out results from big games.
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The new Ibrox owners Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises have so far green-lit nine new faces that have come through the door - and helped the club secure a Champions League playoff showdown with Club Brugge.
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And while things have gone to plan so far in Europe and the push to reach the £40million jackpot in the league phase, domestically Martin has two draws to his name so far in the Premiership going into Saturday's Premier Sports Cup clash with Alloa.
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That sluggish start on home soil looks to have jolted more moves in the market - with defence a key area that is to be improved.
But going into the clash with Alloa, Martin was playing has cards close to his chest over a deal: 'He doesn't play for us so I can't tell you anything about the kid.
"I've never spoken to him in my life. So yeah I don't really know. It's true. I'm not kidding you on. I don't know.'
Jack Butland has been the stand-out performer for the Light Blues so far this summer - but boss Martin has already admitted earlier in the window he would like to bring in a third goalkeeper to rival the England cap and Liam Kelly.
He said: "I think you need to have two good goalkeepers, ideally three at a club like this. I think it's the same as any position."
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Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles is on the agenda witha bid reportedly rejected from Rangers.
And while the cash-strapped club are said to be demanding over £1million for the shot-stopper, The Sheffield Star report the club are "unable to offer any real assurances over the future."
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As it stands Wednesday don't have a senior goalkeeper coach, while it is claimed "players getting their wages is far from a guarantee" and they are "unlikely to be able to offer an improved contract" to the 20-year-old.
In terms of outgoings, Jefte is inching closer to a move back to Brazil to join Palmeiras In a £6million deal and has been left out of the Champions League squad for the playoff clash with Club Brugge.
Boss Martin said: 'The club will update you as and when something happens. He's in this morning so I guess that's all I can tell you as the manager right now.'
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Fringe men also appear to be heading for the Ibrox exit.
Ridvan Yilmaz has dropped out of the Ibrox picture under Martin with Besiktas president Serdal Adali revealed this week that the club are in talks over bringing the 24-year-old back to the club - with reports in Turkey suggesting talks remain ongoing over a fee.
Jose Cifuentes is also reportedly in talks over another loan exit after a year on loan at Aris Saloniki.
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Rabbi Matondo is said to be in talks over a move to Gaziantep FK - while reports south of the border suggest a loan move to Cardiff City is also an option.
Leon King and Clinton Nsiala are free to explore their options after dropping out of the first-team picture - while the door could be opening for Ben Davies to return to Birmingham City.
The centre-back was a key player for City last term as they secured a return to the English Championship. City star Krystian Bielik has now joined West Brom which could restart an exit plan for Davies.