Glasgow Rangers manager Philippe Clement raided the transfer market during the January window, bringing in three new signings for the Ibrox side.
Oscar Cortes, Mohamed Diomande, and Fabio Silva all settled in well at the Light Blues, combining to score seven goals thus far for the club.
Both Silva and Cortes will return to their parent clubs at the end of the current campaign, with Diomande joining on a permanent deal in the summer, but it is clear just what strategy Clement will be using going forward.
Previously, the Gers had signed seasoned professionals who would offer some experience, although they would come with significant wage demands and have no resale value.
Under the Belgian, it appears as though he is looking at the long-term approach for the club. By signing young talents who have yet to blossom, developing them and moving them on for a profit, Clement will establish a player trading model which could be wonderful for the finances.
At the end of the 2023/24 season, there are several players who are out of contract, meaning the manager could free up some of his wage bill by releasing those he thinks have no future in Glasgow.
The Rangers players out of contract this summer
John Lundstram, Leon Balogun, Jon McLaughlin, Kemar Roofe, Ryan Jack, and Borna Barisic are the six senior players who will be free to leave the club once the season finishes.
Realistically, only Lundstram could offer something over the next couple of years, with the rest looking like they will be tasked with finding a new club.
Players
Club joined from
Games played
Borna Barisic
NK Osijek
230
Kemar Roofe
Anderlecht
98
Ryan Jack
Aberdeen
210
Jon McLaughlin
Sunderland
46
Leon Balogun
QPR
79 (over two spells)
John Lundstram
Sheffield United
144
This strategy could see the former Club Brugge manager save a total of £69k-per-week on the wage bill, which will give him some leeway in the transfer market with regard to potential new signings.
Of course, the Gers will still sign the odd player aged 25 or over, but longer-term planning will see plenty of talented gems arrive at the club in the coming years.
Might Clement already have some future prospects in the academy who could soon be ready to make their mark on the first team? With Bailey Rice a player who is being talked about as having a wonderful future in the game.
Bailey Rice’s youth statistics
The midfielder began his career with Motherwell and was offered a professional contract with the Steelmen during the summer of 2022.
Rangers pipped in ahead of a few other clubs to secure his signature, much to the frustration of Motherwell’s academy director Steven Hammell, who said:
“Although it’s disappointing to lose Bailey at this stage of his development, we respect his decision.” Explained Hammell having lost one of his most prized young talents.
Rice clearly could not turn down a move to Rangers, and it looks as though it could be the best possible place for him to showcase his skills while making an inroad into first-team football.
Indeed, having featured on a regular basis for the B team, Michael Beale called up Rice to be part of his matchday squad against Livingston in February last year.
Rangers: Bailey Rice could be an ideal Kamara heir
The young talent could become a mainstay in the first team in a few years time.
Rice and Bailey sound like a 90s hip-hop duo, but on the pitch, they work well in tandem with each other.
The former Motherwell gem typically drops slightly deeper, which could allow Nsio to utilise his attacking qualities to full effect.
The pair may just save the Ibrox side millions in the transfer market over the next few years, as their talent can take them to the very top of the game.
