Gers eye 'bargain' deal for 6ft midfielder but have their eye on another two options - report
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Rangers could land Serbian midfielder Sasa Zdjelar on a 'bargain' fee with CSKA Moscow set to let the player leave Russia this January.
Rangers have been linked with a January move for Zdjelar as his contract ticks down at CSKA and the Russians are hoping to recoup a fee rather than lose the 29-year-old for nothing in the summer.
At least that's according to transfer journalist Pete O'Rourke, who reckons Rangers could 'gamble' on the midfielder as they shop in football's bargain basement.
Rangers could strike 'bargain' Sasa Zdjelar deal
Speaking on Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Pete O'Rourke linked Rangers to three different players.
Claiming that the Ibrox club are one of several teams north of the border tailing Luton Town midfielder Alan Campbell, O'Rourke also touched on the high-profile links to Lyall Cameron.
But whilst comments on these two homegrown options will certainly pique the interest of Rangers fans, O'Rourke's suggestion that Sasa Zdjelar is available for a cut price fee will certainly turn heads at Ibrox.
"It will increase the chances of maybe landing Zdjelar," said O'Rourke.
"CSKA Moscow are open to letting him leave. They'd rather cash in on him now, whether that's for a nominal fee rather than allowing him to run down his contract.
"He's probably a bit more of a defensive midfielder than previous players that have been linked to Rangers in this January transfer window.
"But it just shows where Rangers are shopping right now.
"They're shopping for players coming to the end of their contracts, players that they can maybe sign for bargain fees.
"They're looking at these unknown quantities like Zdjelar that not many people know much about.
"It would be a bit of a gamble to bring him in but you might find a few hidden gems if you do sign some of these players.
"Unfortunately for Rangers they're having to shop at this lower end of the market and look for players who're coming to the end of their contracts because they know they can land them for cheap fees."
CSKA Moscow urged to sell midfielder to Rangers
Those Rangers links to Sasa Zdjelar form part of the background conversation this transfer window in the Scottish press.
But in Russia, talk of Rangers interest in the 29-year-old former Partizan Belgrade captain has plenty commenting on the CSKA star's future.
Dmitry Khomukha spent time with CSKA as a player and reckons it would be 'extremely undesirable' to sell Zdjelar to Rangers this window.
Former CSKA manager Aleksandr Tarkhanov holds a different view entirely, claiming that the Russians should cash in if Rangers hold a genuine interest.
Ominously, Tarkhanov also suggested that players of Zdjelar's talents are ten a penny and CSKA wouldn't feel a big impact from the 6ft midfielder's exit.
"CSKA should probably sell Zdjelar to Rangers," Tarkhanov argues, speaking to Championat.
"We need to think about whether he will help the team and whether it is worth extending his contract. This will be determined by the management of CSKA.
"But, for now, the 'army men' have the opportunity to make money on Zdjelar. And, if he does not want to extend the contract, Sasa should be sold to the Rangers.
"Zdjelar is not such a star that we should worry about his departure. There are many footballers of this level."
