GLASGOW, SCOTLAND — As the Scottish Premiership season draws tantalizingly close, Rangers Football Club is making aggressive moves in the transfer market, reportedly aiming to bring in as many as five new players to strengthen their squad. Crucially, three of these anticipated arrivals are wingers, highlighting a clear strategic focus from manager Russell Martin and the Ibrox hierarchy to inject pace, creativity, and goal threat into wide areas ahead of a demanding 2025-26 campaign that includes UEFA Champions League qualifiers.
Rangers’ transfer strategy for the current window, which extends until late August, is a blend of smart, cost-effective additions and targeted investments. Having already secured several key signings, the focus is now firmly on completing the puzzle to ensure they can compete domestically and make a strong push in Europe.
Before delving into the rumored additions, it’s important to acknowledge the business Rangers have already completed this summer. The club has been proactive in reinforcing various positions:
- Lyall Cameron (Midfielder, Dundee): A free transfer, officially unveiled on June 17, 2025, after agreeing a pre-contract. A promising Scottish talent adding depth to the midfield.
- Max Aarons (Right-back, Bournemouth): A season-long loan from Bournemouth, providing crucial competition and quality at right-back.
- Oscar Cortes (Winger, RC Lens): A permanent signing for around £4.5 million, a significant investment in a winger. Cortes was already at Ibrox on loan during part of the 2024-25 season, making 18 appearances and scoring 1 goal, so this is a familiar face becoming a permanent fixture.
- Joe Rothwell (Midfielder, Bournemouth): An undisclosed fee for the midfielder who signed a three-year deal. He’s completed his medical and is expected to bring experience and energy to the middle of the park.
- Emmanuel Fernandez (Centre-back, Peterborough United): Signed on a four-year deal for around £3.5 million. Fernandez adds much-needed solidity and depth to the central defense.
- Thelo Aasgaard (Midfielder/Winger, Luton Town): Reportedly joined from Luton Town for an undisclosed fee, adding another versatile option in midfield or out wide.
These early signings demonstrate a clear intent to strengthen the squad, but the latest reports suggest Russell Martin is far from finished, with a particular emphasis on the flanks.
The desire for three new wingers is a direct response to key departures and a tactical need. Rangers recently saw Vaclav Cerny return to Wolfsburg after his loan spell, leaving a void in wide attacking areas. Furthermore, the club’s offensive strategy under Russell Martin often relies on wide players to provide pace, dribbling ability, and end product in terms of goals and assists.
Reports from the Daily Record and SportsView have highlighted key targets in this area:
- Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (Crystal Palace): This is perhaps the most high-profile winger target. The 22-year-old Crystal Palace winger, dubbed a “real talent” by former Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder during a loan spell, is actively being pursued. Rak-Sakyi recorded seven goals and two assists in 34 Championship games last season. Palace reportedly value him around £10 million, which would be a significant outlay for Rangers. The Ibrox club may explore a loan move or attempt to negotiate a lower permanent fee. His exceptional dribbling and finishing ability would be a huge asset to the Light Blues’ attack. Rangers are hoping to pip Premier League clubs to his signature by offering the promise of regular playing opportunities and European football (with Champions League qualifiers starting this month).
- Weslley Patati (Maccabi Tel Aviv): Another name strongly linked is Maccabi Tel Aviv star Weslley Patati. While less is known about the exact fee or stage of negotiations, Patati represents a dynamic option from a different European league, fitting Rangers’ strategy of scouting value in diverse markets. His potential arrival would provide another layer of attacking threat from the wide positions.
- Third Winger Target (Undisclosed/Emerging): While Rak-Sakyi and Patati are the most frequently mentioned, the reports indicate a desire for a third winger. This suggests Rangers are casting a wide net, potentially looking for another permanent signing or a loan to complement their existing and incoming wide players. This could be a more youthful prospect or a versatile player capable of operating on either flank. Given the recent departure of Hamza Igamane (reportedly moving to Lille) and Cyriel Dessers (pushing for a move to AEK Athens), securing more attacking options becomes even more critical.
With three wingers as a priority, Rangers are still looking to fill two more slots in their five-player strategy. While specific names for these remaining two spots are less consistently linked, the general areas of need are often cited as:
- Centre-Back: Even with the addition of Emmanuel Fernandez, Rangers are reportedly short at centre-back. Conor Coady from Leicester City continues to be heavily linked, with talks said to be ongoing. His experience and leadership would be invaluable. Another name mentioned is Nasser Djiga from Wolves, who could arrive on a loan deal.
- Striker: With Hamza Igamane’s impending move to Lille and Cyriel Dessers potentially leaving, Rangers are in need of additional firepower upfront. Dor Turgeman from Maccabi Tel Aviv is on the shopping list, with a reported fee of at least £5 million required. Intriguingly, there are also reports suggesting free agent Jamie Vardy could be a marquee signing, with the veteran striker reportedly open to a move to Ibrox. This would be a high-profile, short-term solution bringing vast experience and goal-scoring pedigree.
Under manager Russell Martin, who joined the club after Philippe Clement’s departure, Rangers’ transfer strategy appears to be a continuation of a measured, yet ambitious, approach. The club is focused on:
- Balancing the Books: The “sell-to-buy” model remains crucial, with the club aiming to generate funds from player sales to reinvest in the squad. Reports suggest the goal is to balance smart spending with player sales to sustain long-term investment.
- Targeting Versatility and Physicality: Martin’s preferred tactical approach often demands players who are tactically versatile and possess strong physical attributes. The new signings reflect this, with an emphasis on players who can adapt to different roles and compete physically in both domestic and European competitions.
- European Ambition: Rangers’ participation in the Champions League qualifiers (starting later this month against Panathinaikos) is a significant factor. Progressing to the group stages of either the Champions League or Europa League would not only provide substantial financial injection but also make Rangers a more attractive destination for top talent. The desire for quality wingers is directly linked to providing the attacking impetus needed to navigate these high-stakes European ties.
In summary, Rangers are embarking on a crucial phase of their summer transfer window. The focus on bringing in three new wingers, alongside reinforcements in central defense and up front, signals a clear intent to build a more dynamic, potent, and balanced squad. The coming weeks will be pivotal as Russell Martin looks to finalize his five key additions and shape a team capable of reclaiming domestic supremacy and making a significant impact on the European stage.
