Sky Sports: Seven-figure deal for Rangers target set to...

Sky Sports: Seven-figure deal for Rangers target set to be closed

Nick Powell reported an update from Italy live on Sky Sports News earlier the same afternoon that the French

side were in advanced talks and that a contract to 2028 was “waiting for” the Scottish defender.

The Gers have been interested in the Hellas Verona left-back during the January window, while the Italians

equally have been chasing his Ibrox counterpart Ridvan Yilmaz and are now “close” to landing him, but look to

have missed out on the former Hibs man’s signature.

Powell said: “News just in from our colleagues in Italy, Marseille in advanced talks with Hellas Verona of Serie A

to sign the Scotsman Josh Doig.

“They’ve made a maximum offer of £4.3million to the Italian club. Marseille expect him to close the deal by this

evening, and a contract until 2028 is waiting for the player to sign.

“Doig, who is a Scotland under-21 international has also been of interest to Rangers, from whom Verona are

close to signing Doig’s replacement in Ridvan Yilmaz.”

When it became clear that Rangers wanted Doig and Verona wanted Yilmaz it seemed almost too obvious for

them to swap places.

But if the Turkish international is on the brink of an Ibrox exit to replace the Scot, yet the pair of transactions

will leave Philippe Clement without an incoming deal of his own then it doesn’t look very positive from a Gers

point of view.

The only purpose this development is going to serve for the Light Blues boss is to make a gap in his squad for a

new left-back to fill, which was already something that seemed to be on the agenda, and presumably free up

some wages.

Since the Yilmaz move is only expected to be a loan [Sky Sports Italy, 12 January] then it won’t even bring in

much-needed cash to help Rangers sign his replacement this month.

The 22-year-old has flattered to deceive on the whole since his arrival in Glasgow from Besiktas two summers

ago so a departure isn’t too surprising in itself, but a temporary move without an alternative ready to come in

appears a risky way of going about things.

Unless Clement plans to use Dujon Sterling then he is going to need to move fast to find a new specialist left-

back at low cost, unless he expects to challenge for three further trophies entirely on the strength of Borna

Barisic at the position.