GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Sheyi Ojo of Rangers FC acknowledges the crowd after the UEFA Europa League group G match between Rangers FC and Feyenoord at Ibrox Stadium on September 19, 2019 in Glasgow, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Jens Hjerto-Dahl has doubled down on his desire to join Rangers, insisting he is willing to wait as long as it takes for a deal to materialise.
The towering Norwegian midfielder has made clear that Glasgow remains his preferred destination despite complications surrounding any potential transfer.
Tromso have knocked back all bids for their star man so far, leaving both Rangers and Turkish side Besiktas frustrated in their pursuit of his signature.
Rangers are reported to have lodged a £5.3million bid for the player, while Besiktas have also revived their interest with a competing offer of their own.
The Istanbul club had come close to signing Hjerto-Dahl in the January window, only for the deal to collapse at the eleventh hour before completion.
Norwegian outlet iTromso reports that Tromso have rejected all approaches for the midfielder, making it clear the club has no intention of selling easily.
Despite that resistance, Hjerto-Dahl made his feelings known publicly after netting in Tromso’s commanding 4-0 rout of Valerenga on Saturday.
He said: “I still prefer Rangers over Besiktas, but I am prepared for the fact that it could take a long time before a move to a new club is finalised.”
TV2 pundit Haakon Frydenberg Thon suggested after the match that the goal could mark a significant moment, commenting: “That is maybe the last thing he does for Tromso.”
Tromso head coach Jorgen Vik was measured but candid when addressing the situation ahead of that fixture, acknowledging the realities of modern football.
Vik said: “In every club, players have their price. I’m very happy that they’re with us tomorrow, and I definitely plan to have them with us going forward. We’ll see.”
His careful choice of words did little to dispel the growing sense that a departure for Hjerto-Dahl could be drawing closer with each passing week.
Rangers manager Derek McInnes has already been active in strengthening his midfield options during the current transfer window this summer.
Cammy Devlin was unveiled as a free agent recruit from Hearts on Saturday, adding further depth and competition to the Ibrox engine room.
Vanja Dragojevic is also expected to complete a move to Rangers from Partizan Belgrade, further underlining McInnes’s ambitions for the season ahead.
Whether Hjerto-Dahl ultimately joins that group at Ibrox may depend on Tromso’s willingness to eventually accept an offer that meets their valuation of the player.
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