January is now over and while a whole heck of a lot happened for Rangers, a lot also did not.
Ibrox Noise takes a look now at the ‘exit’ deals which just didn’t materialise, regardless of ITK sources and media claims.
Jack Simpson to anywhere. The flop defender was said to be interesting a host of Championship sides, but not a single offer/bid/loan/anything came of it all. This was clearly his agent trying to drum up interest in him, because, on top of his court case this summer, he’s been arguably the worst defender to ply his trade at Ibrox since promotion. No one wanted him at all.
He may be a mutual consent come the summer.
John Lundstram. He was heavily linked to Boro, and a reunion with Chris Wilder from his old days at Sheffield, but this is another one which failed to convert and he’ll just have to find his path at Ibrox. We like the guy a lot, but we’re not sure he has a future under Gio.
Connor Goldson. Didn’t sign any pre-contracts with anyone, albeit the rules are he’s still free to do so till his deal runs out, but he wasn’t sold either. He remains at Ibrox, and will be here till the summer.
Scott Arfield. Got heavily linked to Turkey and the MLS, but Gio batted it away by confirming he wants to keep the Scottish star at Ibrox beyond the summer. This is one we’re delighted didn’t come to fruition.
Borna Barisic. Watford bid a cheeky £2M. It was a placeholder, to see what response they’d get. They know there was less than zero chance of getting the Croat for that, but wanted to put their marker down. They may return in the summer with a more serious offer.
Alfredo Morelos. Fenerbahce were the only bid, and it was £6M. Nowhere near enough for a £20M+ player. He goes nowhere till the right bid arrives, and even then his own rhetoric has changed in the last 6 months. He seems less eager to leave, and more keen to stay than ever.
Joe Aribo/Glen Kamara/Ryan Kent/Ianis Hagi. All of them vaguely linked with moves out, nothing happened. No offers, no bids, no nothing. And frankly that’s no bad thing. Albeit in Hagi’s case he’ll get no offers now for a long time anyway.
And those are the main ones.