AliousAmerican Investment Fuels Ambitious Summer Rebuild at Rangers – But Soldo Looks to Be the One That Got Away
Rangers are preparing for a vital summer transfer window—one that could define their response to a disappointing season that has seen them trail Celtic by a wide margin, even after their rivals stumbled in a shock defeat to St Johnstone. The scale of the challenge is clear, and so is the need for a major overhaul at Ibrox.
Backed by fresh American investment, including involvement from figures tied to the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers and fronted by Paraag Marathe, Rangers now have added financial firepower and ambition to support their rebuild. Their squad remains in transition after last year’s wave of departures, and several more exits are on the horizon.
Veterans like Leon Balogun, Tom Lawrence, and Ianis Hagi are nearing the end of their contracts and are likely to depart, creating gaps in the squad. Meanwhile, loan players Rafael Fernandes and Vaclav Cerny are set for uncertain futures—Cerny having impressed enough to prompt Wolfsburg to demand £7 million for a permanent deal. That sort of fee may now be within reach thanks to the club’s new American backers.
There’s also speculation about bringing in reinforcements at key positions: a reliable right-back, a prolific striker, and potentially even an upgrade in goal amid doubts surrounding Jack Butland. The American-led takeover appears poised to be a game-changer for Rangers’ ambitions—except, perhaps, in the case of one promising midfield talent.
**Marko Soldo: The Missed Opportunity?**
Back in December, Rangers had their eyes on Croatian U21 standout Marko Soldo, who has had a breakout season with NK Osijek. Previously a more defensive-minded player, Soldo has evolved into a goal-scoring threat from midfield, racking up seven goals and four assists—more than his entire output in his previous senior appearances combined.
Soldo had drawn interest from across Europe, including from Rangers, but the club lacked the £2.5 million needed to meet his release clause during the January window. With the 49ers’ backing now in place, that fee might seem modest—but the timing appears to have worked against the Ibrox club.
Dinamo Zagreb, where Soldo developed during his youth, held a buy-back option on the player, valid until March 31st. Osijek’s board member Vladimir Cohar has now confirmed that Dinamo have activated that clause—reportedly worth just £850,000.
What happens next remains uncertain. Dinamo could retain Soldo or potentially flip him for a quick profit, with interest reportedly still alive from clubs like Rangers and Celta Vigo. According to Croatian media, Osijek would be allowed to entertain higher bids from elsewhere, and Dinamo would need to match those to keep the player.
**Do Rangers Still Need Soldo?**
Interestingly, there’s a question of whether Rangers will continue to pursue Soldo at all. The club has already secured the services of Lyall Cameron from Dundee for the summer, and he brings many of the same qualities that initially made Soldo attractive. Cameron’s arrival could signal a shift in focus for the Ibrox recruitment team, who may now prioritise other positions.
While Soldo could still end up on Rangers’ radar again depending on Dinamo’s next move, it appears increasingly likely that the midfielder has slipped through their fingers—another example of how crucial timing is in football’s fast-moving transfer landscape.
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