Rangers Considering Summer Swoop For This Experienced Dutch Hitman: Why They Must Get The Deal Done | OneFootball

If a report from the Dutch outlet De Telegraaf (as cited by The Daily Record) is believed to be true, Rangers are weighing up a summer move for Luuk de Jong. The veteran Netherlands hitman will be a free agent next month and is open to one ‘final foreign adventure’ amid hesitations over penning a contract extension at PSV.

The 34-year-old former Dutch international spent his youth years at DZC ’68 and De Graafschap before breaking into the latter’s first-team squad. A low-key move to FC Twente earned him recognition following an exquisite scoring streak, and Borussia Mönchengladbach, the renowned Bundesliga outfit, splashed €12m to secure his service.

However, he struggled in the Bundesliga, followed by a six-month loan with Newcastle United that also proved to be a disaster. De Jong rediscovered his touch upon returning to the Netherlands with PSV, and notched an impressive 112 goals in 204 appearances over the next five seasons. He left the homeland for Sevilla, but his time in La Liga was below par, even though he spent a season on loan with the Spanish giants Barcelona.

EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS – JANUARY 29: Richard Ledezma and Luuk de Jong of PSV Eindhoven applaud the fans after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between PSV Eindhoven and Liverpool FC at PSV Stadion on January 29, 2025, in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

PSV rescued him again in the summer of 2022, and the Dutchman has since spearheaded the attack with sheer expertise. He lifted back-to-back Eredivisie silverware as the club skipper, but the gaffer, Peter Bosz, is now planning to promote promising attacking ace Ricardo Pepi as the first-choice ‘number 9’. De Jong, therefore, would prefer regular gametime rather than being an understudy to the USMNT centre-forward.

Why Rangers Should Snap Up The Veteran Dutchman

Meanwhile, Rangers are going through a squad rebuild under the ownership of Andrew Cavanagh and 49ers Enterprises. Kevin Thelwell, the newly appointed sporting director, has appointed Russell Martin as the new Ibrox boss. But the manager must seek reinforcements high up the pitch in the wake of both Hamza Igamane and Cyriel Dessers’ summer departures.

Dessers notched 29 goals this season, but is expected to part ways with Greek giants AEK Athens interested in the Nigerian striker. Hamza Igamane has emerged as a transfer target for several Ligue 1 outfits, with Lille leading the race over Lens and Marseille.

The Light Blues are also keen on Dor Turgeman, but the Maccabi Tel Aviv youngster alone can’t be a solution in all competitions. His lack of experience remains a concern, particularly in Europe, ahead of next month’s UEFA Champions League qualifiers.

De Jong, on the other hand, is a seasoned performer, having shown his expertise upfront. Also, his movement, the sense of positioning, as well as leadership attributes, should see him emulate Dessers’ numbers if a Bosman move takes place in the blue half of Glasgow.