Glasgow, 07.11.2018, Ibrox Stadion, Fussball, Scottish Premiership, Glasgow Rangers Imago Images
Rangers are facing an escalating battle to sign highly-rated Norwegian midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl, with Cardiff City now entering the race.
Cardiff had a £5.5million bid rejected by Norwegian club Tromso, who are holding firm on their £7.5million asking price for the 20-year-old.
Derek McInnes’ side reportedly had their own £5million offer knocked back last week, leaving both clubs weighing up whether to return with improved bids.
Tromso sports director Lars Petter Kraemer-Andressen said: “There have been negotiations over the past week. We’ll see what happens, it could take a while. Several clubs are interested, but a lot has to fall into place for something to happen.”
He added: “If he’s going to move on, it has to be a club Jens wants to go to and we also have pretty high expectations for the price. So it’s not certain he’ll leave.”
Kraemer-Andressen struck a confident tone about the club’s depth, noting they would cope regardless of whether the midfielder departs this summer.
Hjerto-Dahl, who has scored six goals and contributed two assists this season, has already indicated a preference for Rangers over Turkish side Besiktas.
The midfielder is under contract with Tromso for another three years, giving the Norwegian club considerable leverage in any ongoing transfer negotiations.
Newly-promoted Championship outfit Cardiff adds further pressure on Rangers, with several European clubs also said to be monitoring the situation closely.
Meanwhile, winger Findlay Curtis has declared his ambition to become a permanent fixture at Rangers after pushing for a loan move to Kilmarnock last season.
Curtis was a standout performer during his temporary spell and is now fully focused on establishing himself under McInnes at Ibrox this campaign.
Speaking to Rangers TV, he said: “I think it is one of those ones where you can’t really sit on a bench at this age; you need to go and showcase your talent.”
He added: “I’ve done really well, scored really good goals, and it has put me in good stead for this season, and I can’t wait to get going. I’m really happy to be back at Rangers now.”
Curtis made clear his ambitions extend beyond domestic football, saying he wants to “showcase my talent here, in Europe and the biggest stage.”
Elsewhere, Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic has opened up about the bittersweet nature of losing goalkeeper Ivor Pandur to Rangers for £6million.
Hull were compelled to sell Pandur, along with midfielder Aidon Shehu to Panathinaikos, to avoid a six-point deduction for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability regulations.
Jakirovic said: “On one hand, I’m sad at losing Ivor, but on the other hand, I’m happy for him because he got great terms at Rangers. And it’s no small thing to play for Rangers.”
He acknowledged the club had no real alternative, stating: “We had to sell him because Financial Fair Play was hanging over us and we risked a six-point deduction. So I wish him all the best.”
Hull moved swiftly to replace Pandur by bringing in Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland, as both clubs effectively conducted a swap of keepers across the border.
Pandur, who featured for Croatia during the World Cup, represents a significant addition to Rangers as McInnes continues to reshape his squad ahead of the new season.
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