Russell Martin and the Rangers transfer demand that 49ers must meet before Panathinaikos as eight deals come alive

Daily Record

5 hours ago

The Glasgow giants are in dire need of new faces before they take on the rocky road to the Champions League
Pre-season is about to begin and Russell Martin knows the first team he will face as Rangers boss.
And with Panathinaikos just around the corner the new Ibrox owners will be weighing up their transfer market moves before the Champions League qualifier next month.
‌
Martin has already told the 49ers and Andrew Cavenagh exactly what he wants - with his early demands pointing to at least a couple of new recruits to help take on the tricky qualifying path.
‌
Speaking to Sky Sports on the day of his unveiling, he said: "I think the way we're going to try and work and play is going to give them the best chance to show us what they've got and to give us the best version of themselves and hopefully one or two surprises.
"We'll need some help before that game for sure, but until we get in here and assess everyone, how many we'll need before the game or how realistic that is because football and the business and transfer window can be difficult.
"I'm pretty sure by then we'll have one or two people [in], to help us add to the group."
With John Souttar set to go under the knife before the start of the new season, Martin is in dire need of defensive reinforcements going into the crucial qualifiers.
Record Sport has revealed that talks are ongoing to land Conor Coady with Wolves also showing interest. The Herald notes that a "strong interest" in the Leicester City man remains.
Defender Almamy Toure is also reportedly on the shopping list after leaving FC Kaiserslautern - but German outlet Kicker claim that his preference is to remain in Germany as he weighs up his options.
‌
The Times note that a loan move to bring Max Aarons could be among the first deals "completed" by Martin and the new owners - but it is understood that the Premier League side are still pushing for a permanent exit for the right-back.
Cyriel Dessers is closing in on a move to AEK, and a new striker is high up on Martin's agenda.
‌
Ibrox legend Colin Hendry reckons that it may be tough to replace the goals of the enigmatic frontman, telling Coin Poker: At the end of the day, his future will be down to Russell Martin.
"And he might have looked at everything, analysed, looked at his squad and decided that actually, he doesn't fancy him. He may not fancy him for the type of football he wants to play.
"If that is the case and he is a sellable asset, then you have to say thanks and cheerio. What I would say is that if he were to leave, then that money would have to be spent on reinforcements because replacing his goals won't be easy."
‌
Dor Turgerman is on the agenda as a successor and Israeli outlet One report that Maccabi Tel Aviv report that a "minimum" of £4.7million selling fee has been slapped on all their players this summer.
Kwame Poku also looks to be inching closer to a move to Ibrox as the 23-year-old approaches the end of his Peterborough contract.
Posh director of football Barry Fry has revealed he previously commanded a £5million and £5million in add-ons for the forward who is set to leave for a minimal fee.
‌
Should Poku move outside of England, a compensation fee under the lower rate FIFA guidelines would be due to the club due to cross-border rules.
And pundit Lee Hendrie reckons there is still a chance he stays south of the border with Ipswich showing interest in the soon-to-be free agent.
He told FLW: 'Kwame Poku, obviously lots of interest that surrounds Poku from Peterborough United.
‌
'Ipswich are the ones that are looking like they could potentially sign him. 'I really do feel that the way they play, their style, they utilise wingers, wide players, and he's quite versatile. He could play in a number of areas across the front line."
Nottingham Forest left-back Harry Toffolo has been named as a target after leaving the club as a free agent but reports south of the border suggest West Brom are also keen on a deal.
But the 29-year-old has already thrown the door open to an offer from Rangers: "There's been a lot of conversations held with many clubs. So it's going to be an interesting summer.
"It's going to be an exciting summer. Not a clue where I'm going to end up, which is quite fun.
'I'm used to travelling the country. So I think as long as my family, my wife and kids, we're all together, we're not really bothered where we go.
‌
"As long as we're going there and we feel appreciated, valued and I get the opportunity to play, then we'll take it.'
Troyes' midfielder Metinho has caught Rangers' eye after a successful loan at FC Basel last term.
And the door is open for the Light Blues to make a move with new boss Ludovic Magnin conceding the Swiss side are ready to move on from a permanent deal.
He told BZ: "It is sometimes difficult to reconcile everything. And that's why I'm glad to be able to focus on other things, other players."