The exit of Nedim Bajrami to Saudi Pro League side Al Taawoun FC seems like a pretty good one on paper. Rangers finally get shot of yet more dead wood. Bajrami was an absolutely bizarre signing, one of many Rangers have made in recent seasons. He did not fit the club at all and there was little reasoning behind his arrival whatsoever.
Bajrami never suited Rangers
He came from Sassuolo in an illogical move. Rangers fans could not understand who he was or why the club wanted him for that position.
It was a very, very strange signing. However, there were the usual hipster fans who believed we had the greatest thing since Kaká arriving on our shores.
Ultimately, Bajrami was not even remotely suited to Scottish football and did not fit in at all. He lasted longer than José Cifuentes, to be fair.
Cifuentes was very similar because he did not fit the Scottish game or this club. Nevertheless, Bajrami was not a great signing, especially for the reported £4M that he cost.
Al Taawoun hold all the power
However, there is a catch to his exit. It is the same catch Rangers are finding with almost every departure. It is a loan with an option to buy.
In this case, it is an option. It is not an obligation. It is an option to purchase.
This is an outstanding deal for the ‘purchasing’ club. Rangers have the same arrangement with Ben Godfrey. If he does not prove good enough, Rangers do not need to take up their option to sign him.
The same applied, of course, to the absolute shambles that was Andreas Skov Olsen. The loan with an option was the prudent choice and ultimately proved wise.
We all thought Rangers had a £10M superstar winger. However, he was a complete flop and that deal did not become permanent.
Rangers could get Bajrami back
The problem, however, lies with the ‘selling’ club. It is not a good deal.
Rangers have arranged this structure with many of their recent departures. Danilo is another player whose loan contains an obligation. However, that obligation remains conditional.
He must meet certain conditions to trigger the obligation to purchase. Regarding Bajrami, Al Taawoun FC only have an option to buy.
Once again, it is another loan with an option to buy. Technically, it is not the best business for Rangers. We may well end up with Nedim Bajrami back at the club next summer.
We hope, of course, that Al Taawoun FC take up the option and that he shines there.
Rangers have raised almost nothing
However, the simple fact is that Rangers have still sold only two players this summer. Those were Jack Butland, who joined Hull City for £3M, and Oliver Antman who went for Belgium for £4.5M.
Rangers have not completed any other deals that brought in an ounce of cash. We are now deep into August. The transfer window opened two months ago.
As yet, Rangers have not sold anyone for meaningful cash outside the former England number one and ex-Go Ahead Eagles man.
It is an absolutely bizarre situation and reflects very poorly on Rangers’ recruitment. Despite all the changes made this summer, the player trading model does not look any better.
In fact, arguably, it looks even worse. Last summer Rangers sold players for around £25M. This time round, unless it dramatically picks up over the next 4 weeks, Rangers stand at barely a third of that total.
Rangers can’t sell much at a good number, and we’re spending money on absolute slop.
What’s improved, you tell us?