The January transfer window is creeping up fast as clubs continue to work behind the scenes to identify targets and discuss the ins and outs they’d like to happen.
Rangers will be no different as new boss Danny Rohl gets his first chance to add his own players to the squad he inherited from axed boss Russell Martin.
January is often viewed as difficult to land top targets clubs would love to get on board.
But Rangers will work to add to the recruitment drive that took place in the summer as they bid to back the new boss with what he wants and needs.
That in turn will then open the door for potential exits from the club.
The Light Blues have a number of players on the fringes of the squad, and they could look to make an exit in order to gain more first-team action.
Whether that be on a permanent basis or a temporary loan, GiveMeSport has looked at FIVE players who could move on in January.
Nedim Bajrami
Arrived at Rangers in August 2024 under Belgian boss Philippe Clement.
The Light Blues shelled out to land the Albania man from Sassulo, but his time in Scotland hasn’t worked out.
This season so far, he is yet to start a Premiership game with his minutes from the bench very limited.
He was also left of the squad that lost out in extra-time to Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final and is not part of the Europa League plans.
A likely candidate to want to seek a new adventure away from Rangers.
Clinton Nsiala
The 21-year-old is out of the picture at Ibrox and could be looking for an exit either on loan or permanently.
He joined Rangers on a pre-contract from AC Milan in the summer of 2024 — but has only managed 13 appearances in all competitions since.
John Souttar, Derek Cornelius, Nasser Djiga and Emmanuel Fernandez – more on him later – appear ahead of the young stopper in the pecking order under Danny Rohl.
Rangers can land their dream Nicolas Raskin replacement in Southampton star Shea Charles
Kieran Dowell
Russell Martin seemed to be willing to give him a second chance after giving him the nod and minutes in some big early season games.
That followed a return to Rangers from Birmingham City after spending the second part of last season on loan at St Andrew’s.
He helped the Blues to promotion to the English Championship — alongside Ben Davies — and was linked with a return south.
But he stayed at Ibrox and played in both legs of Champions League qualifying against Panathinakos and started the league opener at Motherwell.
Of his six appearances, he also got on the park against Viktoria Plzen and in the early-season home draw with Dundee.
He also landed a rare start in the Premier Sports Cup triumph over Alloa Athletic but hasn’t been involved since late August and is not part of the Europa League plans.
He’s out of contract in the summer and one the club would no doubt be willing to let leave sooner rather than later.
Bailey Rice
The youngster is one who Rangers had high hopes for. But for whatever reason, it hasn’t seemed to work out for him at Ibrox so far.
Hasn’t had a sniff in the Premiership this season with a rare outing in the home win over lower league outfit Alloa Athletic earlier in the campaign.
His contract expires at the end of the current campaign, and it is unknown as yet what the future holds.
However, senior football is a must for his development and that could have him thinking towards a January exit.
His former club Motherwell reportedly considered a loan swoop to take him back to Fir Park in the summer.
Emmanuel Fernandez
A summer arrival as part of the Russell Martin recruitment drive from English lower league outfit Peterborough.
Rangers splashed out to land the defender – who is under contract until 2029 – after penning a four-year deal.
He might fall under the one for the future bracket at Ibrox.
But at 23, a need for first-team football to continue developing is a MUST and that could maybe have the club consider a loan exit for the second half of the season.
Danny Rohl has John Souttar, Nasser Djiga and Daniel Cornelius while James Tavernier has also turned out at centre-back in the past.
That is before you consider whether he would look to bring in another one or two in January with Souttar’s contract situation in mind and the fact Djiga and Cornelius are loan deals until the summer — although the latter has a purchase option in his deal.
Fernandez has made just two starts for Rangers to date, with one further sub-appearance in the cup for the final minute of action.
Liverpool have just submitted a bid worth €100m (£87m) to RB Leipzig to sign top winger target Yan Diomande, although it has been rejected according to Fabrizio Romano.
It has been a busy few weeks for Liverpool since the Premier League season ended with a fifth-placed finish, as club chiefs subsequently decided to dismiss Arne Slot and replace him with outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.
Having finished 25 points adrift of champions Arsenal as they looked to defend the Premier League title they won in Slot’s maiden campaign in charge, there is a determination to ensure the 2026-27 season is a more memorable one.
With pressure to perform well in the Premier League alongside the Champions League, the Spanish manager needs a stronger squad to work with, especially given Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate have all departed this summer.
One of the main focuses has been on bringing in new players in wide positions, with the club already confirming the arrival of Victor Munoz from Osasuna after they activated his £34m release clause.
Now, the Reds are working on a deal to sign RB Leipzig forward Diomande, although they have seen their initial bid rejected by the Bundesliga club.
Romano: Liverpool See Diomande Bid Rejected
REUTERS/Annegret Hilse
David Ornstein was reporting on Thursday evening that Liverpool had informed Leipzig that they were willing to pay a package worth €100m to sign the exciting 19-year-old, but now Romano has gone one step further.
The Italian journalist claims that the German club have rejected an offer worth that amount from the Reds, as they try and keep hold of their prized asset.
Tottenham look to step up their efforts to land a Premier League midfielder Roberto De Zerbi is pushing to land. Spurs are in the midst of a big recruitment drive as they look to go from bottom half-dwellers to European qualification candidates in the space of just a few months.
De Zerbi is being firmly backed by the Spurs board as they look to live up to their promises of changes to what has been a failing approach despite a recent Europa League title. It has become clear that this squad is in need of an overhaul, and it looks as though De Zerbi will get the opportunity to lead it.
A number of targets have been linked with Spurs as they look to add to the captures of Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson, and it seems one of the more glamorous names may actually be on the table.
Romano’s Tonali to Tottenham transfer update
Tottenham have been heavily linked with a move for Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali in recent days, and it seems they have a credible chance of landing the ‘monster’ Italian due to a De Zerbi factor.
“Yeah, I see a lot of excitement on social media on this one from Tottenham fans, of course. I maintain my update, my news,” Fabrizio Romano reported on his YouTube channel. “So, first of all, Tottenham are in conversations with Sandro Tonali’s camp. Second, Sandro Tonali wants to go to Tottenham, and so he’s keen on the move, and I don’t think it’s going to be any problem with the player financially or in terms of contract. Also, because the connection with the De Zerbi is very clear, as I was mentioning in a video yesterday, they are both from Brescia, so the connection is very, very good. And also important to mention on this one about Sandro Tonali, soon Tottenham will reach out to Newcastle to start conversations. Then the price is going to be the point.
“Let’s see, I think this is going to be around €100million (£86.6m), maybe something more than the initial request. And then let’s see the conversation, but De Zerbi is pushing, and so let’s wait for the club-to-club negotiations. But Tottenham are interested.”
Tonali the next Pirlo
Spurs are looking for a midfielder who can control the ball and the tempo of the game, and according to Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, Tonali has those metronomic qualities. He said back in 2024: “When I first saw Sandro play, there were definite links to Pirlo, without a doubt – and it’s not just the hair. There’s more to it than that. He’s definitely got those similar qualities in terms of build and style, but I think the thing that sets Sandro apart from anyone else was he could do all of those things technically and tactically, and looked really good, but it’s his athleticism as well, his ability to run.
“We’ve seen that in recent games from a defensive viewpoint now more than an attacking viewpoint, where he’s sprinting to put out fires for us, nicking balls, intercepting balls, using his athleticism to track runners. He’s been excellent in that respect and think that’s really helped the team. Yes, there are the obvious ones [comparisons] in terms of his technique and his passing and everything else, but I think that’s the thing that sets him apart.”
Liverpool chiefs are already working on the club’s next signing after agreeing a shock deal to sign Victor Munoz from Osasuna, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The majority of Liverpool transfer links so far this summer have included wingers or midfielders, and they completed a transfer hijack out of everywhere to bring in one of the former, in Munoz.
Newcastle United thought they were about to land the £34m Spain international, but the Reds have swooped in to agree a deal instead, with the player set to sign a six-year contract at Anfield after completing a medical.
The 22-year-old becomes the first signing of the Andoni Iraola era on Merseyside, but he is unlikely to be the last as Liverpool target another winger, this time to play on the right, with Munoz preferring to feature from the left.
In addition, one report claims that the Reds will also target a new central midfielder, right-back and potentially even a centre-back, even though Jeremy Jacquet will officially arrive at Anfield this summer after they agreed a deal for the French defender in the January transfer window.
Liverpool have squad gaps to fill, following the exits of Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate, who has just been announced as a new Real Madrid player.
Romano: Liverpool ‘Working’ on Next Signing
via Reuters
Liverpool may have agreed a deal to sign Munoz, but they are still looking to recruit their long-term Salah replacement on the right, meaning another winger is set to arrive at Anfield.
The Reds have been heavily linked with a move for RB Leizpig forward Yan Diomande in recent weeks, with the 19-year-old exploding onto the World Cup scene with a man-of-the-match performance in the Ivory Coast’s win against Ecuador in their opening group game.
The Merseysiders are also admirers of Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola, who could be allowed to leave if the Champions League holders bring in a new attacker, with the Ligue 1 giants incidentally also keen on Diomande.
Issuing an update on his YouTube channel on Liverpool’s transfer business after their deal to sign Munoz out of nowhere, Romano said:
“It’s important to mention, many Liverpool fans are asking me after I dropped this bomba on my channels, does this mean that the deal is closing doors to signing another winger?
“My answer is no. My answer is that in the plan of Richard Hughes, they are doing an excellent job, Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards, in planning their signings and keeping things a secret until we have the exclusive bomb, like today, but they are working behind the scenes also to add at least one more winger to the squad.”
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Which Winger Will Liverpool Sign?
Gonzalo Fuentes via Reuters
Unless Liverpool pull another surprise rabbit out of the hat, then it does appear to be a two-horse race between Diomande and Barcola as the club’s next big winger signing.
Club chiefs believe that he wants to move to Anfield, despite interest from PSG, but the major hurdle is Leipzig’s asking price, with the Bundesliga outfit demanding in excess of £100m for the teenager.
Meanwhile, as contract negotiations between PSG and Barcola continue to stall, the likelihood of him leaving the Parc des Princes this summer rises.
Arsenal are also keen on the France international, who scored in his nation’s opening win against Senegal at the 2026 World Cup.
Liverpool appear to be edging towards Diomande, but if they are unable to agree a deal, then don’t be surprised if they pivot to Barcola instead.
