As with every summer, Rangers’ transfer budget will be determined by a number of factors.
Champions League qualification is, of course, a big one. Then, there is the potential of player sales raising further funds, with Sam Lammers, Jose Cifuentes and Ianis Hagi among those Rangers are likely to be open to offers for.
Whether Philippe Clement’s side have a realistic shot at landing one of the finest footballers in Scotland not currently plying his trade in the Old Firm, then, only time will tell.
Reports indicate that it would take a bid of around £8 million for Aberdeen to consider cashing in on Bojan Miovski. Dons legend Joe Harper, however, feels that a club who have agreed a deal to bring in Elfsborg’s highly-rated head coach Jimmy Thelin as their new boss from next season onwards should aim at even higher, demanding a fee that would make Miovski the first eight-figure sale between two Premiership clubs.
Rangers linked with Aberdeen’s Bojan Miovski
“Hopefully Miovski will remain at Pittodrie next season to lead the line in new manager Jimmy Thelin’s first campaign,” Harper, a league winner with Aberdeen in 1980, tells the Press and Journal.
“The realty remains is if a huge club come in with a major bid, it could be hard for Aberdeen and Miovski to turn down. However, for me it would have to take a bid of at least £10m plus additional add-ons, such as a 20% sell-on clause, to land Miovski.”
While Miovski’s form has dipped recently, he still has 24 goals for a struggling Aberdeen side in 2023/24. He embarrassed Connor Goldson while opening the scoring at Ibrox during the ill-fated Neil Warnock era in February, Clement highlighting the Montenegro international’s ‘quality’ after Rangers bounced back to claim a 2-1 win on the night.
Gordon Dalziel, a Rangers forward of the past, feels that Miovski could certainly be a Rangers forward of the future. He points out that – at just 24 – Miovski is five years younger than the other Scotland-based sensation on the club’s radar even if Hearts contract-rebel Lawrence Shankland would likely come a lot cheaper.
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“The North Macedonian international is a class act and reminds me of Aberdeen legend Steve Archibald with his style of play,” Harper adds. “My former strike partner Archibald left Aberdeen and rose to the very top by winning trophies with Tottenham and Barcelona.
Miovski also has the quality and character to play at the very highest level.Miovski has been the shining light for Aberdeen this season and has consistently proven his class in an under-performing team.
“He has netted 24 goals this season. But there is the sense that is only the tip of the iceberg, and the best has yet to come.”
Rangers’ top scoring centre-forward this season, Cyriel Dessers,took his tally to 19 during the 2-0 Scottish Cup semi-final victory over Hearts. There remains a feeling, however, that Rangers need someone a little more dependable, a little less hit-and-miss, if they are to reach another level.
Miovski, assuming the bidding starts at £8 million, would need to become Rangers’ second most expensive signing ever and their biggest since Tore Andre Flo arrived from Chelsea in 2000.
The Gers travel to St Mirren on Sunday.
