If a recent report from The Scottish Sun is believed to be true, Rangers have emerged as serious contenders to secure the services of Michy Batshuayi during this January transfer window. But they are not alone in the race for the Fenerbahce star with Everton weighing up a loan move as cited by various Turkish outlets.
The well-known Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri has confirmed Rangers‘ interest but, at the same time, is yet to draw a conclusion given the growing interest in the Belgium international.
🇧🇪🦇 Lot of interest regarding Michy Batshuayi this summer… Player has been proposed to #RangersFC who
put the player on a list but there’s yet no concrete intention to proceed as his wages are very high for a Scottish club. The Belgian striker earns 3,5M€ per year at… https://t.co/4eeqrEbecv pic.twitter.com/ImUcrnpugF— Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) January 10, 2024
The 30-year-old centre-forward progressed through the academy ranks of Standard Liege before cementing a starting status for their senior side. His poaching traits impressed the Marseille scouts who splashed £4.5m to tie him down back in summer 2014. After a couple of productive campaigns, Batshuayi joined Chelsea for £33.2m to become the then manager Antonio Conte’s first signing at Stamford Bridge.
However, he was only handed a sporadic role, and therefore, mostly spent his time out on loan at Borussia Dortmund, Valencia, Crystal Palace and Besiktas. Despite scoring 28 goals in 52 games since plying his trade to Fener, Batshuayi is ready to move again having failed to agree a new deal with his current employers.
Why Rangers Must Step Up The Chase
Rangers roped in Danilo and Cyriel Dessers following the summer exit of Alfredo Morelos and Antonio Colak. While Dessers has often been criticized for his lack of pace and precision high up the pitch, injuries to Danilo and Kemar Roofe saw the club loaning in Fabio Silva from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Meanwhile, Dessers has been put on standby by Nigeria for the upcoming African Cup of Nations competition and the potential absence of the Super Eagles star has now forced the Light Blues to re-enter the transfer market days after tying down the Portuguese youngster.
Batshuayi is a proven goalscorer who also holds experience of the highest order. It remains to be seen though whether Philippe Clement uses his contacts and connections to lure in the fellow countryman thus resolve the striker conundrum in the ‘treble’ hunt.
