If a recent report from The Scottish Sun is believed to be true, Rangers are eyeing a swoop for Nedim Bajrami. They have tabled an offer to secure the services of the Sassuolo star on a season-long loan that includes an option-to-buy clause by the end of the 2024-25 season.
Born in Switzerland, Bajrami switched allegiance to Albania in 2021 despite representing Rossocrociati at various youth levels. The midfield attacker scored the fastest goal in the UEFA European Championship history when he netted 23 seconds into their UEFA EURO 2024 fixture against Italy. The Black and Greens are desperate to keep hold of him in their bid to grab an immediate return to Serie A, but the player is keen to explore a fresh opportunity as revealed by the local outlet sassuolonews.net (cited by The Daily Record).
The 26-year-old versatile attacking ace progressed through the academy ranks of Grasshoppers before featuring for their U21s in Swiss 1. Liga. He was transitioned into the first team and eventually earned a regular status in the Swiss Super League. Empoli roped him in the summer of 2019 on a season-long loan and the then Serie B outfit tied him down on permanent terms for a minuscule €500k fee.
Bajrami played his part in their top-flight promotion and his exquisite form earned him a transfer to Sassuolo last year on the winter deadline. After an initial loan spell, Neroverdi splashed €6m to snap him up on July 2023. However, they highly underperformed last season and finished 19th to suffer relegation. With just 2 goals and 2 assists in 28 Serie A games, the Albanian failed to make an impression in Emilia-Romagna.
Why Rangers Must Snap Him Up
Rangers, on the other hand, are struggling to offload outcast pair Ianis Hagi and Todd Cantwell. The latter might leave amid interest from Blackburn Rovers, but the Romanian is determined to fight for his place even after being shown the door by Philippe Clement. The Gers needed to clear the wage bill and generate funds before reinvesting in squad improvement. And the loan exit of Ben Davies, along with Scott Wright’s potential switch to Birmingham City, could allow them to pursue a chase for Bajrami.
Predominantly a ‘number 10’, the Red and Blacks star is also flexible across the frontline. But the Belgian boss should deploy him in his preferred role considering Tom Lawrence’s lack of impact early into the campaign. The Light Blues might still need a wide attacker who would slot in down the right, but the signing of Bajrami would be a no-brainer amid the ongoing conundrum in and around the attacking third.
