While these deals could raise substantial funds for Russell Martin to spend in the transfer market, they would also leave the Ibrox club depleted in attack. Danilo would be the sole centre-forward option on Rangers’ books, and the Brazilian has proven to be unreliable due to injury problems.
Luckily for the Gers, Luuk de Jong offers a strong option who could be snapped up on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the month.
He has not yet made a decision about his future and is reportedly open to a final foreign adventure. Rangers could provide a perfect solution for a player who has 186 goals in 338 matches for PSV – unprecedented numbers.
Although 34 years old, he was worth his weight in gold for the Eindhoven club last term, scoring 18 goals and creating 13 more in all competitions as they defended their Eredivisie title.
Partly because things went so well last season, De Jong has no intention of hanging up his football boots.
“De Jong is still hesitating between signing a new contract and an adventure in an exotic football country to end his career,” wrote Jeroen Kapteijns in De Telegraaf.
Another Dutch club is definitely not an option, while PSV are growing tired of waiting for the striker to make up his mind.
“PSV has indicated that it cannot wait for him indefinitely and is looking at other options for the striker position,” Kapteijns writes.
With Ricardo Pepi set to take his place at the forefront of the attack, this could also be a reason for De Jong, who has experience at Newcastle United and Barcelona, to look for a move. He wants regular football and hopes to be of great value somewhere.
Rangers are De Jong’s ideal destination
SciSports ‘ Career Advice Tool shows that Rangers can be an excellent club for De Jong. Although the quality of the selection does not directly match De Jong’s current Champions League level, the striker can certainly be of value in Glasgow for two or three more seasons with his experience and qualities.
According to the football data experts, De Jong’s playing style fits perfectly with the way of playing at Ibrox. Russell Martin will probably want to make some changes when it comes to the playing style of the Gers, which could be to De Jong’s disadvantage.
But the veteran nevertheless remains a strong fit for Rangers, who are likely to be in the market for a centre-forward very soon. De Jong ticks many boxes and, as a free agent, has the type of pedigree to help move the Ibrox project forward in the short term.
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