Rangers To Raid Croatia For ‘Another’ Borna Barisic With £1M CB Targeted | OneFootball

Rangers are reportedly showing early interest in a player from a familiar source, with strong indications that Osijek defender Luka Jelenic is the latest name to emerge on the radar at Ibrox. While nothing has been confirmed officially, the links to NK Osijek naturally evoke memories of Borna Barisic’s move from the Croatian side in 2018. That particular transfer was one of Steven Gerrard’s earliest signings and for better or worse, it laid the groundwork for the club’s long-term interest in Croatian talent. With the club currently overhauling the squad under new management, the emergence of another Osijek defender in the discussion adds a bit of nostalgia and curiosity to the mix.

Borna Barisic may have departed Ibrox this summer but his legacy still lingers. His cold shoulder farewell raised eyebrows as many fans expected the left-back to be given a proper send-off. While his later years at Rangers divided opinion, Barisic’s early seasons were productive and he played a major role in the 55-title-winning campaign. It would not be a stretch to suggest that the scouting department still keeps tabs on Osijek and the Croatian market in general.

Jelenic, a young defender with growing potential, fits the mould of a modern Rangers signing. While not much is publicly known about the details of this potential move, the profile of the player is reminiscent of the approach Rangers used back in 2018. At that time, the club were seriously considering whether to make a move for an Osijek star, and they ultimately did. That deal brought Barisic to Glasgow and showed that Rangers are not afraid to fish in markets others might overlook.

There is some precedent to be optimistic about a signing from Osijek. Croatian players often have a strong technical base and Jelenic could prove to be a cost-effective and clever solution to bolstering Rangers’ defence for the new season. With reports having previously profiled Barisic at the time of his arrival, a similar pathway may now be forming for another Osijek defender. The next few weeks will reveal whether Rangers push forward with this one or merely keep the interest warm while other options are explored.