Of all the players on Rangers’ transfer wishlist throughout 2024, a midfielder dubbed ‘one of the best in Europe’ after breaking into double figures for both goals and assists last term is perhaps the most ambitious.
HITC reported earlier in April that Rangers, as well as Old Firm neighbours Celtic, had been alerted to the potential availability of Eduard Spertsyan, the Krasnodar talisman.
Philippe Clement’s side like him too. Why wouldn’t they?
Nikola Elich, the former deputy head coach of the Krasnodar academy, may have gone a little overboard when he described the Armenia international among Europe’s finest midfield talents. But Spertsyan is one of the Russian Premier League’s biggest starts these days and, with all due respect to Scotland’s own top flight, is a player who could be forgiven for aiming a little higher, perhaps at one of Europe’s so-called ‘top-five’ divisions.
“He deserves to play in the biggest clubs in Spain or Germany,” argues Borussia Monchengladbach forward Grant-Leon Ranos, one of Spertsyan’s Armenia team-mates (Metaratings).
“I think Spertsyan is ready to move to Europe. Edo has great potential and a high level of play. He will need time to adapt to the environment and level of play, and to learn the language. I think he can handle it.”
Rangers face big challenge pursuing Eduard Spertsyan
Any Rangers pursuit, then, will not be short of obstacles. There is interest from a host of clubs across the continent to consider, plus the very real possibility that British-based clubs may be blocked from doing business with Russian sides due to the ongoing Ukrainian conflict.
Chelsea ran into such problems when attempting to sign Arsen Zakharyan from Dinamo Moscow, the youngster ending up at Real Sociedad instead.
And then there is the price to consider. Spertsyan himself has claimed that Krasnodar are likely to demand around 15 million. Or £13 million, if you will. Dimitry Seluk, an agent very well connected in Russia, has heard similar figures through his own sources.
“Spertsyan has a contract until 2026. In principle, he could leave. But Russian clubs are asking (for) so much money for all players with valid contracts that the question of price and quality arises,” Seluk tells MetaRatings.
“Krasnodar asked for 15 million euros. And I’m not sure that (the interested clubs) are ready to give that much for him.”
Midfielder will require record-breaking fee
Rangers have only once paid an eight-figure sum. And that was over 20 years ago when Tore Andre Flo swapped Chelsea for Glasgow.
The Premiership challengers did spend heavily last summer, however, on the likes of Cyriel Dessers. And money will be available again should they secure Champions League qualification. But, regardless of how talented Spertsyan may be, would it make sense splurging most of their budget on one player at a time when reinforcements may also be required at left-back, at centre-half, in defensive midfield and up top?
Abdallah Sima, the Brighton loanee, is already expected eat up a substantial portion of Clement’s funds, presuming Rangers do strike a permanent deal for the speedy Senegal interntional.
RangersNews learned this week that Brighton are increasingly minded to cash in on Sima, but the size of his price-tag is yet to be made clear.
“This was the perfect team for me, you know, as a young player to get games and experience. Team-mates really help. (There are) some experienced players. So I’m really happy to be here,” Sima told the Rangers official YouTube channel last week.
“I didn’t expect it, to have a season like this, to be honest. But I’m a winner and I want to win everything here. That’s why I joined the club. So I hope to give everything for this club and for the fans, because they deserve that.”