Ominous Rangers West Ham transfer message as latest PL news fires shot across Ibrox bow
02/05/2024 08:50
As the transfer links to Ben Johnson emerged this week, it sent a reminder to Rangers fans that a summer of change is firmly on the horizon.
Whilst it's all still to play for on the domestic scene this season, there's growing expectation that Rangers are about to go through yet another evolution in the months ahead.
Philippe Clement hasn't really had the opportunity to put his stamp on the Gers team, one transfer window and a wafer-thin budget seeing to that.
By the same token, neither has Rangers' new Director of Recruitment Nils Koppen.
The Belgian certainly looks an exciting appointment with the transfer of Mohamed Diomande raising hopes that the best is yet to come.
But with the links to Ben Johnson – West Ham's versatile out-of-contract full-back – it raises a few questions about the recruitment team's thinking heading into the summer.
'Great boy' Johnson linked to Rangers
Firstly, Ben Johnson was mentioned as a potential Rangers summer signing this week.
This was after links initially appeared back in January.
It's been claimed that the 24-year-old was viewed as a cost-effective swoop by the Rangers recruitment team but it looks like Crystal Palace have stolen a march on the Gers.
Going as far to claim that Rangers held talks with the defender, the suggestion is that Johnson is now set for Selhurst Park in a potential early transfer blow.
It means that ex-Frankfurt manager Oliver Glasner, who beat Rangers to the penalty punch in 2022's Europa League Final, is set to land another blow on the Ibrox side.
Johnson also looks set to leave West Ham despite manager David Moyes claiming on Sky Sports News (via Hammers News) the Hammers 'really do want him to stay' at the Olympic Stadium.
The former Manchester United boss described the right-back as a 'great boy' and revealed last summer that contract talks with the player had fallen apart.
Rangers transfer latest hints at big changes
Whilst Rangers might be set to miss out on Ben Johnson, what do the links say about how the club views the make-up of the Ibrox squad heading into the summer?
A right-back by trade, Johnson is a versatile full-back a-la Dujon Sterling and it certainly poses a question about the future of the ex-Chelsea kid at Ibrox.
Only one year into his contract in Glasgow, we don't suspect a big move down south is calling just yet but with Sterling moving into midfield this season, perhaps this is where manager Philippe Clement views Duj's future.
Another option is that Dujon Sterling moves into left-back, with Borna Barisic looking increasingly likely to make the switch to Turkey with Trabzonspor.
It would leave Ridvan Yilmaz, now the bonafide first-choice left-back when fit, and those lingering links to Brazilian option Jefte.
There is also the ongoing situation with James Tavernier, who only this week reiterated his commitment to Rangers amid rampant speculation surrounding a move to Saudi Arabia.
The Rangers captain has spent nine years in Glasgow, has two left to run, and is for all intents and purposes, eyeing a testimonial.
And let's not forget Adam Devine, who has impressed at times out on loan with Motherwell in the second half of the season.
Given West Ham want to keep Ben Johnson, and that Crystal Palace appear eager to sign him, it's clear that given the investment, such a player would be signed to play at Rangers.
So it begs the question, what does it mean for how Koppen and co view the rest of the full-backs in the Rangers squad?
It's a warning that no-one's place in the Rangers squad is safe and another signal to supporters that big changes are the offing this summer.
