Soccer Football - Europa League - Group C - Sparta Prague v Rangers - epet ARENA, Prague, Czech Republic - October 26, 2023 Rangers manager Philippe Clement before the match REUTERS/David W Cerny
The excitement of the Clement Revolution is in danger of stalling after Nathaniel Adjei rejected a dream move to Ibrox in favour of French Second Division side Lorient.
On Wednesday night a report from Expressen in Sweden was seized upon with Anderlecht and Phil Clement locked in a battle to sign the £5m rated defender from Hammerby.
Lorient had taken Adjei on loan but after being relegated they were unable to take up that option- until Thursday evening when French publishers announced that the move was about to be signed off.
Now, almost three weeks on from losing in the final of the Scottish Cup only Jefte and Clinton Nsiala have been added to Clement’s squad.
One might be on the radar of Real Madrid with the other a £20m signing target for Ajax but at this stage they don’t look like the calibre of signing to get through two qualifying rounds to reach the new look Champions League. Pre-season training starts in 10 days time with much the same squad as lost out to Celtic last season.
Nathaniel Adjei is Rangers transfer ‘target’ as Philippe Clement set to battle Anderlecht and others for Hammarby starhttps://t.co/uptFhuizTH pic.twitter.com/yK7kBnv434
— Daily Record Sport (@Record_Sport) June 13, 2024
Picking up on the story from Sweden with their unique spin, the Record reported:
Nathaniel Adjei is the latest Rangers transfer target this summer as the rebuild gathers pace.
The Ghanaian centre back spent last season on loan at Lorient, with an obligation to buy kicking in if they stayed in Ligue 1. However, their relegation means that while that option still exists, it is no longer mandatory, which has opened the door to other clubs. Swedish outlet Expressen claim that Rangers are one of those who want to buy Adjei. And while they also link Feyenoord, Strasbourg and Reims, the Ibrox club and Anderlecht are thought to be the front runners.
That was enough to get the lads on the Rangers Review discussing the next exciting signing for the Clement Revolution!
? WATCH Thursday’s briefing with @derekclarksport and @Chris_Jack89 as they discuss:
? Connor Barron latest
? Is Damian Garcia move dead?
? Nathaniel Adjei linked?? https://t.co/ccBJCPTa6y pic.twitter.com/bQc73XrgQg
— The Rangers Review (@RangersReview55) June 13, 2024
Alas the excitement wasn’t to last very long, later on Thursday it was clear that Adjei has opted for Second Division football with Lorient rather than a dream move to Ibrox, enjoying the state of the art training facilities at Murray Park.
So in the last 48 hours we went from the highs of potentially signing Damian Garcia, Connor Barron and Nathaniel Adjei.
To all three of those deals more or less falling apart.The joys that is a Rangers transfer window.
— RidvanLoyal (@RidvanLoyal) June 13, 2024
?? Rangers transfer bulletin as Nathaniel Adjei clause triggered while six competitors for Connor Barron
? https://t.co/lrT23l9126 pic.twitter.com/gA1F7UxMv2
— Football Scotland ????????? (@Football_Scot) June 13, 2024
They’ve been credited with an interest in Lorient defender Nathaniel Adjei who has been on loan from Hammarby up until the summer. Gers are keen on the centre-half but reports this evening in France have confirmed his loan club have triggered his release clause in the initial deal to try and keep him permanently.
It adds to the potential disappointment for Connor Barron who reportedly now has SIX other suitors looking for a pre-contract. Serie A clubs are interested, as are Gers, and there is English interest.
It seems that the Clement Revolution! is running out of steam due to a lack of cash with clubs looking for concrete deals rather than a loan with an obligation to buy next summer.
Getting paid far less money that Todd Cantwell, Nicky Raskin and Cyriel Dessers isn’t much of an incentive to players who will soon realise the absurd expectations of supporters sickened by watching Celtic win 19 of the last 24 domestic honours.
£10.00 down and a pound a week. How can anyone pass up an offer like that?
Honest question, who the fuk is Connor Barron?
No snub in capital letters every headline ?
Like every time they do an article on Matt O ‘ Riley and Denmark
Anything for a quiet life – in Lorient.
Right!?