Why Rangers must complete a £2million move to sign Eros Grezda before deadline day
Rangers are on the verge of completing their 13th signing of the summer, as Albanian winger Eros Grezda edges closer to a £2million move to the Ibrox. (h/t The Scottish Sun)
The 23-year-old currently plies his trade for Croatian outfit NK Osijek. It is understood that Grezda has completed his medical and the transfer will be finalized shortly.
It has been a summer buzzing with activity for Rangers so far. Starting with the appointment of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard as the new manager, the club have brought in numerous fresh faces. Hence, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the club have gone through a major transition.
The new manager had strengthened his squad in the wide areas, bringing in Jamie Murphy from Brighton & Hove Albion, along with signing promising youngster Ryan Kent on loan from Liverpool.
However, the former has been ruled out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury, leaving the Gers with just Kent and Daniel Candeias as the options. Thus, it makes sense for them to scan the market for a winger.
Although Grezda did not feature for Osijek against Rangers in their encounters earlier this season, the speedy winger has been on the Gers’ scouting radar for a while now (h/t The Scottish Sun). Having spent the early parts of his professional career in Slovenia, the 23-year-old moved to Croatian outfit NK Lokomotiva in 2015, where he spent two years. In that time, the player scored 15 goals and set up nine more in 72 appearances.
Last year, the Albanian winger moved to Osijek and had an impressive debut campaign, scoring 8 goals and providing 3 assists in 37 appearances across all competitions.
Known for his blistering speed and quick feet, the winger can play on either flank and through the middle as well, providing extra options for Gerrard in the final third. Technically gifted, Grezda also possesses the natural flair and burst of pace that allows him to get past his man in the wide areas and hit in crosses. In addition, he also has a keen eye for scoring goals which makes him a potent threat.
Candeias has had an underwhelming start to the new campaign, having failed to score or assist a single goal in his seven appearances across all competitions. Kent too has failed to live up the expectations, managing just a solitary assist in eight games so far.
With Josh Windass’ sale and Murphy out for the season, the Gers are in need of a player who would add directness and dynamism to their forward play from the flanks and that is exactly what Grezda will provide. At 23, he is young and will only improve from here on, making him a shrewd piece of business for the Glasgow-based outfit.
