If a recent report from Sky Sports Germany (as cited by The Daily Record) is believed to be true, Rangers are close to securing the services of Václav Černý from Wolfsburg on a season-long loan. Philippe Clement is keen to bolster the attack and the arrival of the Czech star should script a reunion with Danilo after a blistering stint at FC Twente in 2020-21.
The 26-year-old Czechia international progressed through the academy ranks of his hometown outfit FK Příbram. He left his country at an early age in favour of a switch to the esteemed youth setup of AFC Ajax. Despite featuring sporadically for the senior side, Černý was primarily involved with their reserves in Eerste Divisie.
A €900k transfer to Utrecht handed the attacker a fresh start, but the tenure (initially on loan, later tied down on permanent terms for €1m) at Twente earned him accolades and attention. Although he completed a €8m move to the White and Greens last summer, the Bundesliga side are now ready to sanction his loan exit after 5 goals in 25 appearances across competitions.
Rangers are undergoing another transition following a disastrous transfer window under former boss Michael Beale. Clement is struggling to ship out the fringe stars thus hitting a roadblock while generating funds from player sales. He must balance the books to go ahead with squad reconstruction, however, the latest developments should be alleviating for the Belgian chief both in terms of incomings and departures.
Why It’s A Shrewd Business By Rangers
So far the Gers have splashed £4.3m to snap up Mohamed Diomande after a successful mid-season loan from Nordsjælland. Other than roping in veteran Liam Kelly on a Bosman, the rest of his signings are project-specific to pursue long-term objectives. Hamza Igamane and Jefte cost them £1.7m and £0.68m respectively, but they have only earned a six-figure amount from Robby McCrorie’s exit. The likes of John Lundstram, Ryan Jack, Kemar Roofe, Borna Barisic and Jon McLaughlin have left as free agents upon their contract expiry whereas the club must pay a tribunal fee for young Scotsman Connor Barron whom they snapped up for nothing from Aberdeen.
Yet the Light Blues could receive a financial boost amid rumours of Connor Goldson, Sam Lammers, James Tavernier and Todd Cantwell’s potential egress. It would also free up the wage bill significantly and a chunk of it should be invested for Černý in this win-win loan deal.
The left-footed wideman prefers to operate from the right as an inverted winger and is hailed for his passing, dribbling, crossing and finishing attributes. Clement never had a stable option down the right-hand flank and was even forced to deploy Dujon Sterling as a makeshift at one point. Ross McCausland enjoyed a breakthrough campaign but, at the same time, is not ready yet to step in and deliver week in, week out. He should challenge and cover Černý on the right and the latter must aim to rediscover his FC Twente form alongside Danilo high up the field.
