“Inter Milan’s £17m Transfer Further Diminishes Rangers’ Chances of Signing ‘Extremely Powerful’ Talent”

Last week, Rangers News exclusively revealed that while Rangers secured their first winter signing with Rafael Fernandes arriving on loan from Lille, another promising talent would not be joining the ranks.

 

Marko Soldo, a breakout Croatian midfielder, is currently beyond Rangers’ financial reach, even at a relatively modest price of £2.5 million.

 

Soldo, a Croatia Under-21 international, has committed his immediate future to NK Osijek, making any attempt to lure him to Scotland a significant challenge for the Premiership club.

 

Despite this, the Dinamo Zagreb academy graduate has not ruled out a move to Rangers in the future. He plans to reassess his options once the 2024/25 season concludes.

 

For now, however, he is fully focused on maintaining his impressive form during what has been a standout campaign.

 

By the time summer arrives, Rangers might find themselves out of contention altogether.

Inter Milan Complicates Rangers’ Pursuit of Marko Soldo

 

Dinamo Zagreb holds a buy-back clause in Soldo’s contract, established when they sold the 21-year-old to league rivals Osijek in 2024.

 

According to Croatian publication Gol, Dinamo may consider activating this clause as Pavel Sucic nears a high-profile transfer to Italian champions Inter Milan.

 

Fabrizio Romano recently reported that Inter and Sucic have reached an agreement, with the deal potentially costing the Serie A giants around £17 million.

 

This transfer would make Sucic one of Dinamo Zagreb’s most lucrative exports, joining the ranks of Luka Modric, Dani Olmo, and Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol.

 

Dinamo could look to bring Soldo back as Sucic’s replacement, leveraging their buy-back clause.

 

Rangers, on the other hand, find themselves constrained by limited funds, relying primarily on loan deals like Fernandes’ move to Ibrox.

 

As a result, Dinamo may seize the initiative, leaving Rangers and other suitors lagging behind.

 

This season, Soldo has been praised for his “extremely powerful” athleticism and versatility. Formerly a defensive-minded player, he has transitioned into an attacking midfield role at Osijek, delivering career-best numbers with six goals and four assists so far in the 2024/25 season.

 

Interest from clubs like Rangers and Real Betis has served as a motivator rather than a distraction for the young talent.

 

Marko Soldo Responds to Interest from Rangers and Abroad

 

“All these stories about interest from foreign clubs confirm that I’ve had a strong half-season,” Soldo told Glas Slavonije.

 

“I’ve been investing in myself and working hard, and it’s paying off.”

 

Soldo sees the attention from foreign clubs as validation of his efforts and a reason to keep improving.

 

As for the possibility of Dinamo triggering his buy-back clause, he remains unfazed.

 

“There is a clause allowing Dinamo to bring me back by a certain date and with compensation, but I’m not burdened by that. I’m happy at Osijek,” he said.

Having settled well at Osijek, Soldo emphasized his contentment with the team, training conditions, and overall environment. “At the moment, I have no reason to think about leaving,” he added.

 

He remains fully focused on Osijek’s goals for the season, with no plans to consider his next move until the summer.

 

“When the season ends, we’ll evaluate the situation and decide what to do next,” he explained.

 

Reflecting on his progress, Soldo acknowledged that the past few months have been the best of his career.

 

“I believe I’ve improved in all areas, and the statistics back that up. More importantly, I’ve made strides in my overall game.”

 

Soldo also noted that his decision to join Osijek has proven fruitful, citing his development and satisfaction with the club as key factors in his success.

 

“Overall, I’m happy with my progress and the decision to come to Osijek,” he concluded.

 

For now, Soldo’s immediate focus remains on Osijek and maintaining his current form.

 

While the interest from Rangers and other clubs is flattering, any move appears to be on hold until at least the summer, leaving his future destination uncertain.