Liverpool s striker Mohamed Salah L and midfielder Harvey Elliot R take part in a training session held at Saint-Denis Stadium, in Paris, France, 27 May 2022. Liverpool FC will face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final soccer match on 28 May. Eve of the UEFA Champions League final soccer match ACHTUNG: NUR REDAKTIONELLE NUTZUNG PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJUANJOxMARTINxes-ESx GRAF1331 0160060730st
Rangers have reportedly revived their interest in left-back James Penrice as Derek McInnes looks to strengthen his defensive options at Ibrox.
Penrice, 27, enjoyed a successful first season with AEK Athens after leaving Hearts last summer for a £2million fee, winning the Greek Super League title with the club.
The wing-back departed Hearts during the club’s Spanish pre-season training camp, sealing his move to Greece under McInnes, who was managing the Jambos at the time.
Penrice had previously been linked with a January move to Rangers, though reports suggested AEK rejected any approach from the Glasgow club at that stage.
Greek reports now claim the deal is being “reexamined” by Rangers as they look to provide competition for Tuur Rommens on the left side of defence.
However, the club is said to be aware the transfer will “not be easy to do,” with AEK keen to retain the wing-back, who remains contracted to the Greek champions until 2028.
AEK are reportedly demanding “significant financial compensation” before they will consider allowing Penrice to leave the club this summer.
McInnes is also pursuing his former Aberdeen player Lewis Ferguson, though a deal for the Bologna captain appears set to face further delays.
Ferguson, 26, captained Bologna to Coppa Italia glory 12 months ago but found regular first-team minutes harder to secure during last season’s Serie A campaign.
Bologna are said to value the Scotland international at £17million and remain keen on keeping him, with new manager Domenico Tedesco holding talks with the player following the World Cup.
Gazzetta dello Sport has noted that any movement on Bologna’s stance regarding Ferguson is currently on hold while the midfielder remains on holiday.
Tromso midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl, valued at £8.5million, is also reported to be on Rangers’ list of transfer targets as McInnes builds his squad.
Partizan Belgrade captain Vanja Dragojevic, aged 20, has also emerged as a midfield target, with Serbian outlet Arena Sport reporting that talks between the parties are ongoing.
Dragojevic has reportedly been told a move is “pending” and will not feature in Partizan’s pre-season fixtures, though his final destination is yet to be confirmed.
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