Rangers plotting Ibrox move for “rapid’ £2m star

Rangers’ busy transfer activity shows no sign of slowing down any time soon.

Russell Martin has now made six new signings at Ibrox since being appointed manager last month, following confirmation of Nasser Djiga’s loan move.

Fellow new recruits Max Aarons and Emmanuel Fernandez made their maiden appearances in light blue during a pre-season friendly at the weekend, so how many more will be through the door at Rangers in the coming days?

Rangers targeting a new attacker

So far, Martin has prioritised bolstering his defensive and midfield options, as the table below documents.

Now though, Rangers will need to add some attacking reinforcements.

It is possible that all three Rangers players who scored more than six goals last season will depart, given that Václav Černý has returned to Wolfsburg, following his loan spell, while Hamza Igamane and Cyriel Dessers are being courted by other clubs.

Thus, according to a report by Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Deutschland, Rangers are ‘monitoring’ Thierno Ballo, with Ajax, Mainz and others also ‘keen’ to sign him.

No potential fee is included in the report, but Football Transfers believe the 22 year old to be worth €2.3m (around £2m).

Ballo has had an interesting career and life to date; born in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, he moved to Austria at the age of four, spending time in the academy set-ups of LASK, Bayer Leverkusen and Viktoria Köln, before joining Chelsea as a 16 year old.

He represented the Blues over 85 times in the UEFA Youth League, EFL Trophy, FA Youth Cup and Premier League 2, without ever making a senior appearance, ultimately loaned out to Rapid Wien in 2021, before joining current employers Wolfsberger AC as a free agent a year later.

Now, could he be returning to Great Britain, only this time north of the border and for a hefty price-tag?

How Thierno Ballo would improve Rangers

Ballo’s recent form in the Austrian Bundesliga has certainly caught the eye, scoring 13 goals across league and cup during both of the last two seasons.

This is a feat three players have achieved.

Writer Kai Watson described the 23 year old as “rapid” and a “strong ball carrier​​​​​​​” who is a “strong finisher​​​​​​​” and a “solid creator​​​​​​​”, concluding he would be an “exciting” signing for Rangers.

Meantime, Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout highlights his “great” form for Wolfsberger AC, performances that earnt the winger his senior international debut for Austria in June, introduced at half time as they smashed San Marino 4-0 in a World Cup qualifier at Stadio Olimpico di Serravalle.

This would be a particularly exciting addition for Rangers due to their lack of winger depth, a position that has been a problem since Ryan Kent’s departure on a free transfer back in 2023.

As the table outlines, none of Rangers’ four current wide-attackers have particularly impressed, especially when compared to Kent who, in 218 appearances, scored 33 goals and registered 56 assists during five seasons in Govan.

The search to try and replace Kent over the past two seasons has largely proved unsuccessful – excluding loan moves for Abdallah Sima and Cerny – although Ballo’s form in Austria of late is certainly reason for optimism.

Thus, everything suggests that Ballo would be an excellent addition, one they’ll be desperate to get over the line before taking on Panathinaikos in Champions League qualifying on 22 July.

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