Rangers are closing in on the signing of centre-back Olwethu Makhanya, who is set to become the eighth new arrival at Ibrox this summer.
Manager Derek McInnes confirmed he was hoping to have the South Africa international in the building ahead of Friday’s league opener against Dundee United.
With Makhanya poised to shore up the central defence, McInnes has already identified wide areas as the next priority on his recruitment agenda.
The club’s latest meeting with the Fan Advisory Board on July 21 named central defence, midfield, and wide areas as the key positions Rangers hoped to fill this summer.
Partizan Belgrade captain Vanja Dragojevic has since arrived to bolster the midfield, while Makhanya is expected to add competition at the heart of the backline.
Winger Oliver Antman is edging closer to a move to Anderlecht, a transfer that would bring in funds and further open the door for wide reinforcements.
Rangers are tracking Brighton starlet Amario Cozier-Duberry, who is approaching the final 12 months of his contract with the Premier League side.
Anderlecht have already had a £5million bid rejected for the 21-year-old, and Brighton are reportedly keen for him to sign a new deal before departing on loan.
Czech Republic winger Vaclav Cerny is another name under consideration, with the Ibrox club exploring a possible deal with Besiktas for the 28-year-old.
However, Turkish outlet A Spor report that Cerny is “not inclined to move away” from Istanbul, despite interest from the Saudi Pro League and domestic rivals Trabzonspor.
On the opposite flank, Coventry City are understood to be willing to allow Jahnoah Markelo to leave on loan following the club’s return to the Premier League.
Rangers showed interest in the attacker prior to his €5million move from FC Zurich to Coventry in January of last year.
Coventry Live report that manager Frank Lampard is unlikely to give Markelo significant minutes in the top flight after an underwhelming Championship campaign.
Meanwhile, Rangers were keen on bringing back Mikey Moore at the end of last season, but Tottenham remain undecided about the 18-year-old’s future.
Football London state the player’s status for the “coming season remains up in the air” with no European football for Tottenham “and therefore a lack of minutes to go around.”
The FAB meeting outlined four key traits the club is prioritising in recruitment this summer, including “leadership,” “character,” and “mentality,” as well as a “familiarity with Scottish football.”
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