“I can confirm”: Rangers’ £2.5m transfer hopes fade as director reveals star’s next destination

This transfer window was always destined to be a major one for Rangers, especially with the team trailing Celtic by 13 points—even after the Hoops’ surprise loss to St Johnstone on Sunday.

The gap is significant, and the squad remains in transition following last year’s substantial clear-out.

Key players like Leon Balogun, Tom Lawrence, and Ianis Hagi are nearing the ends of their contracts and will need to be replaced.

Additionally, loanees Rafael Fernandes and Vaclav Cerny are both expected to depart. Their respective impacts have been quite different, with Cerny leaving a better impression.

Wolfsburg reportedly value the Czech international at £7 million, and Rangers may require a financial boost from their new American investors to make his stay permanent.

These same backers—linked to the San Francisco 49ers—could also help fund other key reinforcements, including a right-back, a centre-forward, and possibly a goalkeeper to challenge or replace Jack Butland.

However, one target may already be slipping through the club’s fingers due to the timing of the investment.

Croatian midfielder Marko Soldo looks set to move elsewhere before Rangers can act.

Back in December, Rangers News revealed that the club had scouted Soldo, a Croatia U21 international playing for NK Osijek.

Known for his power and transition from holding midfielder to dynamic box-to-box presence, Soldo is enjoying a breakthrough season, having registered seven goals and four assists—more than in all his previous senior games combined.

Despite that interest, Rangers were unable to meet Osijek’s £2.5 million valuation during the January window.

While that fee might seem minor compared to the financial capacity of the 49ers-linked investors, their influence came too late.

Dinamo Zagreb, Soldo’s former youth club, had until March 31st to activate a buy-back clause in his contract.

Vladimir Cohar, Osijek’s managing director and board member, confirmed that Dinamo triggered that option.

“As previously known, Dinamo had the option to activate the buyout clause for Marko Soldo until March 31,” Cohar stated.

“I can confirm that Dinamo exercised its right under the contract, so further talks are now underway.”

While Dinamo hasn’t confirmed whether Soldo will feature in their squad next season, there is speculation that they could resell him for a profit to Rangers, Celta Vigo, or another European club.

Dinamo’s buy-back clause reportedly allows them to acquire Soldo for just £850,000.

However, should Osijek receive a higher bid—above €1 million—Dinamo would be required to match it to retain their rights.

“At this point, I would not speculate on whether the deal will be completed,” Cohar added.

“The season is entering its final stages, so I believe now is not the right time to talk about possible future transfers.”

Amid all the uncertainty, it’s worth questioning whether Rangers truly need Soldo anymore. Dundee’s Lyall Cameron is already set to join the squad this summer.

Cameron offers many of the same qualities that initially attracted Rangers to Soldo—energy, versatility, and creativity from midfield.

So while Soldo’s move to Ibrox now seems unlikely, the club may already have his replacement on the way.