Rangers Are Closing In On This Wolves Centre-back: A Deal That Benefits All Parties Involved? | OneFootball

If a report from the Express and Star is believed to be true, Rangers are eyeing a summer swoop for Wolverhampton Wanderers centre-back Nasser Djiga. The Burkinabé youngster only joined them from Red Star Belgrade earlier this year but is expected to ply his trade north of the border on a season-long loan to attune to the aggression and physicality of British football.

The 22-year-old Burkina Faso international progressed through the academy ranks of Vitesse back in his homeland. He eventually earned a regular role in their senior squad before being roped in by the Swiss giants FC Basel. However, he struggled to secure first-team minutes in Switzerland and was loaned out to Ligue 2 outfit Nîmes for the 2022-23 season.

Djiga spent the following campaign with the Serbian giants, who triggered the buy option and tied him down last summer for a fee of around €4.35m. Wolves, who were fighting for survival back in the winter, snapped him up for €12m as a deadline-day transfer.

BELGRADE, SERBIA – AUGUST 28: Uros Spajic (L) and Nasser Djiga (R) of Crvena Zvezda react during the UEFA Europa Conference League Play-Off second leg match between Crvena Zvezda and Bodo Glimt at the stadium Rajko Mitic on August 28, 2024 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)

Emmanuel Agbadou, the other central defensive recruit, was pivotal to their survival under Vítor Pereira, but the lack of involvement from Djiga casts doubts over his immediate future at Molineux. Therefore, a temporary move to Rangers could be a win-win situation for all parties involved.

Why Rangers Must Rope In The Wolves Outcast

The Light Blues are aiming for a resurgence under the ownership of Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises. The appointment of Kevin Thelwell as the sporting director, followed by Russell Martin’s arrival as the new Rangers manager, is a statement of intent to redeem the lost glory. But they need reinforcements to close the gaps with Celtic, both in terms of depth and quality, all over the pitch.

The Gers have parted ways with Leon Balogun upon the expiration of his Ibrox contract. Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Rafael Fernandes are back at Feyenoord and Lille, respectively, having failed to impress on loan due to form and fitness concerns. Robin Propper is back for pre-season, but might return to Twente, as he could not cope with the demands of the Scottish game. John Souttar faces a race against time to be fit for the crucial UEFA Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos later this month, thus leaving Martin with zero stability in the heart of the backline.

Having said that, Rangers have lately ramped up their transfer chase. Emmanuel Fernandez has been brought in from Peterborough United, and the club are also in talks with veteran Conor Coady, alongside Djiga. While Coady’s leadership traits would restore balance, the latter could secure a starting status over Fernandez for his ball-playing ability, aerial supremacy, composure and calmness in deep defence.