Whoever takes over at Glasgow Rangers as the new permanent manager has a massive job to do.
A summer rebuild is required, which means plenty of ins and outs when the transfer window opens next month.
Ianis Hagi, Leon Balogun and Tom Lawrence all departed Ibrox following the expiration of their contracts, freeing up some of the wage bill.
The Light Blues will also need to sell a few players in order to raise some funds. Could Nedim Bajrami be the first to go?
Latest on Nedim Bajrami’s future
According to reports in Albania (as per the Glasgow Times), the midfielder has two options on the table about a summer exit away from Rangers.
A club in Serie A is keen on securing his services, while another is from the Bundesliga. The report goes on to say that it is likely Bajrami will depart the club when the summer transfer window opens.
Having paid £3.4m for him just last summer, the board will be keen on recouping the majority of this fee back, especially as he has three years still left on his contract.
A return of nine goal contributions – five goals and four assists – across 44 matches simply wasn’t good enough, and he often went large spells without producing anything meaningful in the final third.
Whoever arrives as the new manager will see Bajrami as an asset who can afford to be sold to fund future signings.
Ben Davies is another player who must be moved on, especially after enjoying a successful season on loan with Birmingham City.
Why Rangers must sell Ben Davies this summer
Davies spent the entire 2024/25 season on loan at Birmingham and was a key component of the side that secured promotion back to the Championship.
He played 44 times for the club, helping them keep 20 clean sheets in League 1, while also winning an impressive 70% of his total duels and making 6.2 clearances per game.
|
Ben Davies’ League One stats for Birmingham (per 90) |
|
|---|---|
|
Accurate passes |
67.9 |
|
Tackles |
1.1 |
|
Clearances |
6.2 |
|
Interceptions |
0.5 |
|
Total duels won |
6.3 |
|
Possession lost |
9.7 |
|
Via Sofascore |
|
Due to these performances, head coach Chris Davies dubbed the centre-back as “exceptional” and it appears as though they are seeking a permanent transfer for the player.
Back at Ibrox, however, it’s fair to say that he didn’t quite live up to the £4m price tag following his arrival. That much is certain.
When compared to his peers in the 2022/23 Champions League, Davies ranked in the bottom 92% for pass completion percentage (79.6%) and in the bottom 80% for tackles (1.04) per 90.
The following season, he lost possession 12.1 times per game in the Premiership, regularly being outmuscled by opposition strikers. It was clear that the Englishman wasn’t going to be a long-term option at the back for the Light Blues.
Starring out on loan has surely put the £27k-per-week defender in the shop window this summer. Now, all that Rangers need is a club to come in and make a decent offer.
One thing is for certain, especially amid the news that the 49ers Enterprises have completed their takeover of the club. Ben Davies should never play for the Gers again.
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