Rangers’ pursuit of Rapid Bucharest striker Albion Rrahmani is over after the Kosovo striker confirmed he isn’t leaving the Romanian side any time soon, and probably not for any club not in a top five league.

Rangers have been seeking a striker to ‘replace’ Cyriel Dessers, or simply to provide the artillery up front which the side lacks at present, and prolific frontman Rrahmani had been a strong target, with Ibrox Director of Football Recruitment Nils Koppen liaising with Rrahmani’s agent at a recent summit in Mexico.

Unfortunately it’s become apparent that the deal is as good as dead in the water, after the goalscorer effectively 99% ruled Rangers out:

“I am here, focused 100 per cent and I will fight for this team until the end. I will fight for the fans, for them to support us unconditionally. The new players are very good and we have a strong team now. Mr. Lennon is a very good coach, with a very good game philosophy, which will help us to be better and better.”

So he seems happy enough to stay in Bucharest at the moment, but expressed he’d only leave if he gets a very, very good offer:

“I hope to reach the top five leagues in Europe. If a team offers something interesting for the club, I will talk to Mr (Dan). Sucu (Rapid Bucharest owner), and if the offer is also in the interest of the club, I will make a choice. For now I am the Rapid player and I will give 100 per cent for the team.”

Now the quote does not rule out Rangers 100%, but Rangers, if he came to the club, would have to dig deep to afford him, and it would only be a ‘stepping stone’ to a top five European league.

Meaning, like former Ibrox target-turned Celtic player Luis Palma, he’s already looking at his next move before even signing for Rangers.

And that’s no use for Rangers.

Which is not to say ambition is a bad thing, but signing a player who has already publicly said he wants to move onto bigger and better things before the ink is even dry isn’t going to work.

The chances of Rangers making this signing went close to zero.