Rangers’ busy summer of spending is seemingly set to continue.
So far, following Russell Martin’s appointment as manager at Ibrox, the Gers have brought in seven new recruits, most recently acquiring Djeidi Gassama for a reported fee of £2.2m.
Now though, they are targeting another winger, who might be even better, available on a free, having once been signed for a humongous £18m.
Rangers' looking to bolster their winger options
We’re just days away from the start of Rangers’ season, welcoming Panathinaikos to Ibrox on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League second qualifying round tie, before visiting Athens for the return leg a week later.
Despite coming in July, this could be a season-defining tie for the Light Blues so, given its importance, Martin might be concerned by the array of wingers available to him in a squad that was submitted to UEFA on Thursday.
Djiedi Gassama
2025
0
0
Nedim Bajrami
2024
44
5
Óscar Cortés
2024
18
1
First and foremost, Rabbi Matondo misses out due to injury, while Ross McCausland has not been included in the squad either, and it is not the most frightening list of wide-attackers you’ve ever seen, is it, even with the arrival of the exciting Gassama?
Ibrox News recently reported that Grady Diangana is likely to pass a medical, despite previous injury concerns, if the Gers decide to make a move for him, having made contact with the player’s representatives earlier this month.
The 27-year-old is a free agent, having left West Bromwich Albion following the expiration of his contract last month, after making over 200 appearances for the Baggies across six seasons.
Despite last Thursday’s deadline, Rangers can still add two players to their squad for the Panathinaikos tie up until 24 hours before kick off, so 7:45pm (BST) on Monday, so can they get this deal over the line in time?
How Grady Diangana will improve Rangers
Diangana, who was once hailed as “unplayable” by pundit Michael Brown, began his career at West Ham United, joining the Irons as a 12-year-old before debuting in September 2018, marking the occasion by scoring twice during an 8-0 EFL Cup demolition of Macclesfield Town.
He then spent the 2019/20 season on loan at West Bromwich Albion, before the deal was made permanent for £18m in September 2020, which remains the Baggies’ record fee.
This sparked outrage and furore in East London, with club captain Mark Noble stating that he was “gutted, angry and sad” to see Diangana sold, while then teammate Jack Wilshere labelled him a “big player with a big future”.
Well, he hasn’t quite lived up to that hype, scoring 26 goals and registering 22 assists in 202 appearances for West Brom, but writer Kai Watson still believes he is “talented” and a “good ball carrier”, while concluding he will represent an upgrade on Rangers’ current right-wing options.
Meantime, Steve Madeley of the Athletic asserts that he possesses ‘real ability’ and the ‘confidence to take defenders’, while Ricky Lee Griffiths of Breaking the Lines outlines how, given that he’s left-footed, Diangana likes to dribble inside from the right, making him a dangerous chance creator and a goal threat.
Now, though, how do his statistics compare to those of Gassama?
Let’s find out.
Appearances
34
43
Minutes
1,488
2,993
Goals
0.24
0.21
Assists
0.18
0.03
Shots
1.1
1.5
Chances created
1.1
1.2
Shot-creating actions
2.83
3.03
Goal-creating actions
0.42
0.21
Take-on success %
47.7%
41%
Touches
57.2
44
Worth noting that Diangana’s season was, somewhat, blighted by a calf injury, hence why he played around 1,500 fewer EFL Championship minutes than Gassama.
Nevertheless, on a per 90 basis, their statistics are largely very similar, with the DR Congo international coming out on top in terms of goals and assists, as well as take-on success percentage, goal-creating actions, and touches.
Thus, while Gassama is clearly a superbly talented player, Rangers require players who can come in and make an immediate impact, and, if he can rediscover his best form, Diangana certainly fits that bill.
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