Rangers Plotting Move For This Como Attacker: Smart From The Light Blues? | OneFootball

If a report from  Blick Sports (as cited by the Daily Record) is believed to be true, Rangers are in talks with Como over a summer swoop for Samuel Ballet. The wide attacking ace spent the last season on loan with FC Zürich, and while the Swiss side want him to stay for one more campaign, interest from the Glasgow giants, as well as Norwich City and Turkish club Trabzonspor, has jeopardised a reunion at Letzigrund.

The Light Blues are undergoing a transition since the takeover by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises. The appointment of Kevin Thelwell as the new director of football, followed by Russell Martin’s arrival as the new boss, promises a new dawn at Ibrox. But they must strengthen the squad, having lost several first-team stars already, either due to contract expiry or the financial constraints towards converting loan deals into permanent transfers.

Why Rangers Are Chasing Ballet

Vaclav Cerny falls in the second category after impressing down the right with his flair and finishing traits. However, a return to Glasgow is unlikely for the Czech star, and their failure to land Queens Park Rangers-bound Kwame Poku makes Ballet a realistic target, as he also prefers to feature from the right-hand flank.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – NOVEMBER 23: Václav Černý of Rangers scores his team’s opening goal during the William Hill Premiership match between Rangers FC and Dundee United FC at Ibrox Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The 24-year-old former Switzerland youth international progressed through the academy ranks of Young Boys and made strides with the reserves. But he struggled for minutes at the senior level, which led to successive loan stints at FC Wil and FC Winterthur. The latter tied him down permanently in the summer of 2022, and Como, the then Serie B side, snapped him up for €1.8m in January 2024 to bolster their promotion hopes.

What He Would Offer At Ibrox

Although the Lariani secured a top-flight status, Ballet was hardly involved in their success story. The attacker was surplus to requirements at Como, and the gaffer, Cesc Fàbregas, sanctioned his season-long loan to Zurich for regular gametime. There, he showed glimpses of his quality primarily as a right midfielder. The Swiss star netted thrice and laid on two more times in 26 league outings, even though he was only handed 15 starts.

Rangers, so far, have roped in right fullback Max Aarons on loan from Bournemouth. Ex-Dundee prodigy Lyall Cameron has joined on a Bosman. However, a fee of around £4.5m has been splashed on Óscar Cortés, as they were obliged to buy the Lens star regardless of an injury-ravaged loan.

Yet the Colombian must aim for a fresh start under the new boss, shaking off his past disappointment. The arrival of Ballet would offer further depth, thus allowing Martin to focus on the other top targets before their UEFA Champions League qualifiers against Panathinaikos later this month.