Paraag Marathe has promised some surprises to fans in the market after facing shareholders for the first time
(Image: SNS Group)
It’s been a sluggish start to the transfer window for Rangers following the blockbuster US takeover.
New boss Russell Martin has seen Lyall Cameron come through the door after the midfielder had agreed a pre-contract move from Dundee before his arrival – with Max Aarons expected to arrive from Bournemouth on loan in the coming days.
But after Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe of 49ers Enterprises faced Ibrox shareholders for the first time excitement is building for some big moves in the market.
Speaking to the Rangers’ backers, pharmaceutical tycoon Cavenagh played his cards close to his chest on how big a transfer kitty the club would hand to Martin: “We will be as transparent as we can but in other areas we will be pretty opaque – this is one of them..”
Marathe added: “If we give you a number right now, suddenly that winger we’re targeting becomes a lot more expensive so it’s best we say less!”
However, the Leeds United chairman would add: “If we share who we’re targeting that players becomes more expensive. It’s best for you all if we surprise you with the players we bring in!”
The Glasgow giants have been careful with their spending in recent seasons – with the last time the club broke the £7million barrier coming all the way back in 2019 when Ryan Kent made his permanent move from Liverpool.
So could the new owners surprise the punters by breaking that self-imposed barrier?
Martin is said to be keen on a reunion with Southampton star Flynn Downes in the Scottish Premiership – having previously managed the 26-year-old at Swansea and the Saints.
The midfielder was a key member of the Southampton team that secured promotion through the play-offs in the 2023/34 campaign while on loan from West Ham.
Flynn Downes of Southampton(Image: Getty Images)
He would return to the south coast ahead of their return to the Premier League for a £15m fee – and it could take a similarly money-spinning offer to tempt the St Mary’s chiefs to sell. It has been suggested that bidding for the 26-year-old starts at £9million.
Another raid of his former club could also come at a hefty cost, with Aaron Ramsdale being touted with a move to the Glasgow giants.
The England international will reportedly be allowed to leave the English Championship side to boost his case for the World Cup with a loan exit said to be on the table.
But should Southampton push for a permanent exit it is likely the relegated Premier League side would attempt to recoup a sizeable chunk of the £18m they forked out to Arsenal for the goalkeeper last summer.
It’s money-spinning thought for the 49ers as they look to spring a surprise this summer – and Matija Frigan is a striker who could also take a major fee to bring him to Rangers.
The Croatian striker is currently valued at £6.5m by his club Westerlo – but reports in Belgium suggest that his price tag is set to rocket amid rising interest in the 22-year-old.
Hamburg and Hull City are two of the clubs who are said to have shown an interest with Voetbal Primeur claiming Westerlo “hope” a bidding war breaks out to take his price tag beyond £7m with the Glasgow giants eyeing alternatives to Dor Turgeman.