Rangers were thrown into action in the final few hours of the January transfer market after an injury to Jermain Defoe. They were looking for a striker, and the club were linked (The Express) with a move for Burnley’s striker Matej Vydra. The Bears had to settle with signing Florian Kamberi on loan from Hibernian. However, Gerrard had come close to pulling off a coup for the Czech striker. Reports from the Express mentioned that Rangers had accepted a fee with Burnley, but the Clarets were not able to find a replacement for Vydra. Hence, he wasn’t allowed to leave.
Vydra now linked with Russian heavyweights
It seems like Rangers were clearly interested in the 27-year-old forward. We believe that the club could have returned for him in the summer. However, latest reports from The Mirror (3 February, page 44) suggests that the former Derby County striker could be on his way to Russian heavyweights CSKA Moscow. The Russian transfer window doesn’t get over until February 21 and Vydra could be given a way out of Burnley in the next few weeks.
However, the move to Rangers stalled because Sean Dyche wasn’t unable to sign a replacement. Hence, it remains to be seen whether the Clarets would sanction a move now when Burnley can’t sign a replacement for Vydra with the English transfer window being closed.
It remains to be seen how Kamberi would go about his business. Jermain Defoe has also signed an extension for another year at Rangers, but he isn’t going to be a long term option.
Alfredo Morelos is expected to attract interest from plenty of top clubs, and if an above-par offer comes in, then we believe that Rangers might sanction a move for him in the summer. Hence, Rangers might search for another striker in the summer and Vydra could be a decent option if he doesn’t agree on a deal to move to CSKA Moscow.
Why Vydra will be a good pick?
The 27-year-old has struggled to establish himself in the Premier League, but Vydra was a proven player in the English Championship. The Czech forward was the top scorer in the league in the 2017-18 campaign when he bagged 21 goals for Derby County.
Vydra is also a versatile striker as he can play in various roles in the attacking third. Rangers are known to use their attacking wide players more as a no. 10 and the 27-year-old should fit into that role well as he has had more success as a secondary striker. Hopefully, Rangers will still have a chance to rope him in the summer.
