A few Rangers fans have reacted in some outrage over Hearts asking price for Claudio Braga. As Ibrox Noise revealed recently, the Gorgie side expect around £8M to £10M for the Portuguese star having had a breakout season in the Scottish Premiership. A number of Rangers fans have reacted in disgust at this price, suggesting that Claudio Braga’s pricetag is fleecing Rangers or indeed anybody else.
Hearts Hold The Power
Of course, what these same fans overlook is the fact that Hearts do not need to sell. He is their star player and star players cost money. They are worth big cash and there is no reason for Hearts to get rid of their most starred asset. Of course, Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin are also two of their star assets, but they do not carry the same market value.
Rangers Recruitment Concerns
However, the biggest problem here is that Rangers have spent around £21M on three striker failures. None of the strikers invested over the summer last year have proven value for cash. Chermiti, Miovksi and Ryan Naderi just have not worked out on any level in any case.
Braga Delivers While Others Fail
It has to be said that Braga has shone for Hearts. His goal rate and his assist rate have been extremely solid. He has proven himself against Rangers as well. The fact is that good players go for big money. Rangers have spent that kind of money on far inferior players to Braga.
Market Reality And Strategy
Rangers of course have the funds now to invest. They would rather not spend the £10M on Braga. However, any team worth its salt will try to get a player for less than the market value. Sell on clauses and structured deals always come into play. But the reality is that Rangers do need quality up front. It is something that we do not have.
The Ferguson Lesson
Depending on the outcome of the league, of course, his price could go up or down. But Rangers fans reacting in outrage over the price forget the risk of letting a Braga or similar go. If we look at Lewis Ferguson, Billy Gilmour and others, these are players who are Rangers men but went to Italy and have absolutely shone.
Ferguson alone is worth around £25M. Rangers fans reacted in outrage when Aberdeen demanded £6M for him. Bologna happily paid that fee and he has flourished at a level far higher than the Scottish Premiership. He has proven himself a borderline world class player. He will go for big money if he moves to an Inter, an AC or a Juventus.
Conclusion
These players who cost big cash and look like they are valued at that level trigger frustration from fans. Rival clubs charge the going rate for that calibre. Time has proven again and again that such players are genuinely worth that. Unfortunately, if you want to have the best players, they cost big money now. Claudio Braga’s pricetag is proof of that.