Inter Milan's £17m transfer makes Rangers deal for 'extremely powerful' player even more unlikely
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A January transfer may be off the cards for Rangers but, as things stand, a summer switch cannot be discounted as the £2.5 million man leaves the Ibrox door ajar.
Rangers News exclusively reported last week that, while Rangers did secure their first winter deal with Rafael Fernandes joining on loan from Lille, a talented young midfielder enjoying a breakout season in his homeland would not be following in the Portuguese’s footsteps.
Marko Soldo is simply too expensive for Rangers right now, even at just £2.5 million.
Furthermore, as Croatia Under-21 international Soldo commits his immediate future to NK Osijek, the Premiership giants would have faced an uphill battle luring him to Scotland anyway.
The Dinamo Zagreb academy graduate does admit, however, that he will consider his options when the 2024/25 campaign comes to an end. He has not so much ruled out joining Rangers, then, rather putting it on the backburner as he focuses on maintaining what has been a real coming-of-age season.
Yet, by the time the summer comes around, Rangers may already be out of contention for good.
Inter Milan deal makes Rangers’ Marko Soldo pursuit even harder
Dinamo Zagreb secured a buy-back clause in Soldo’s contract when selling the 21-year-old to Croatian league rivals Osijek back in 2024.
A clause Dinamo may be tempted to trigger, as reported by local publication Gol, as Pavel Sucic closes in on a move to Italian champions Inter Milan.
An agreement has been reached between Inter and Sucic, Fabrizio Romano said on Monday. The fee, meanwhile, could set the Nerazzuri back around £17 million.
Thus, making the five-time Croatia international one of the most expensive exports in Dinamo’s history, alongside Luka Modric, Dani Olmo and Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol.
Whether Dinamo opt to bring Soldo back to familiar surroundings as Sucic’s replacement, only time will tell. But with Rangers powerless to act right now – funds are in short supply with loan deals like the one which brings Fernandes to Ibrox the order of the day – Dinamo Zagreb certainly have the opportunity to steal a march while their rival suitors are still tying their shoelaces in the starting blocks.
Praised for his ‘extremely powerful’ athleticism and his positional flexibility, Marko Soldo has blossomed as an attacking midfielder this season for Osijek. Previously a more defensive-minded player, he has recorded career best tallies of six goals and four assists across 2024/25.
The interest from Rangers, Real Betis and co, meanwhile, is proving to be less of a distraction and more of a motivation.
Croatia youth star flattered by Rangers’ interest
"All these stories about interest from foreign clubs are just confirmation for me that I have a quality half-season behind me," Soldo tells Glas Slavonije. "I am investing a lot in myself, working hard. [This] is gradually paying off.
"The interest from foreign clubs is just an additional motivation to continue on the path I have taken, primarily when it comes to work. As far as Dinamo is concerned, there is a clause according to which they can bring me back by a certain date and with compensation, but I am not burdened by that at all.
"I am enjoying Osijek. I have really settled in well. The team, working conditions and environment are excellent so, at the moment, I really have no reason to think about leaving."
"Until the summer, I am clear-headed and focused only on the club's goals," Soldo adds. "Then, we will see what will happen. When we draw the line under this season, we will think about what and how to do next.
"I agree that last autumn was the best of my career. I think I improved in all areas, and the statistics confirm this. However, it is more important to me that I made a step forward in terms of the game itself.
"Overall, I am satisfied because it was precisely because of my progress that I decided to come to Osijek."
