As expected, it did not take long for the reported Rangers target’s new head coach to issue a response to the speculation.
The speculation suggesting that Philippe Clement’s side – planning for a big summer as they look to go one better and overhaul Old Firm rivals Celtic at the summit of the Scottish Premiership – could look to raid a club who have just hired a bonafide Parkhead legend as their new boss.
Neil Lennon was confirmed as the manager of Rapid Bucharest this week. His introductory press conference took place on Tuesday.
And, to the surprise of nobody, the future of Albion Rrahmani was one of the first questions that came the Irishman’s way. Lennon is taking over a team sitting 17 points adrift of FCSB (formerly known as Steaua Bucharest) in the Romanian league table, and you can only imagine how much further they would be behind the chasing pack if it wasn’t for the heroics of their 23-year-old star striker.
Rangers lined with Rapid Bucharest star Albion Rrahmani
The prolific Rrahmani won the Golden Boot in his native Kosovo last season before joining Rapid. With 19 goals already at his new club – 13 of those coming in just 15 top-flight games – Lennon’s hopes of a success in Eastern Europe may hinge on whether Rapid can keep their prized asset out of the clutches of their manager’s old blue-clad adversaries.
“I don’t want Rahmani to go anywhere,” Lennon tells Sport Romania. “He is a very good player. Goalscorers are very important players in a team. He had a fantastic season.
Lennon, by his own admission, accepts that this is not a situation he is in ‘control’ of. Talks are expected to happen between Rapid, Rrahmani and his representatives imminently, with Portuguese giants Benfica and Premier League duo Aston Villa and Brentford having also been linked by Kosovan Footy on X.
“It’s a discussion I hope will take place,” Lennon says. “But I’m not in control at the moment.”
Rrahmani may be viewed at Rangers as a replacement for Kemar Roofe, the veteran forward confirming his departure and leaving Philippe Clement with just two central strikers in Cyriel Dessers and the injury-hit Danilo.
Striker could cost nearly £7 million
Rapid Bucharest president Daniel Sucu, meanwhile, has made no attempt to hide exactly how much he expects to make from Rrahmani’s potential sale.
He wants around 8 million euros. Or, for clarity, £6.8 million.
Rangers, meanwhile, are expected to spend around £3 million on an addition for the other end of the pitch. Jose Cordoba, the highly-rated Levski Sofia defender, is expected to arrive sooner rather than later.
The Gers also appear to be making some progress in that long-running pursuit of Fluminense’s APOEL Nicosia loanee Jefte Vital.
