Why Kwadwo Baah would be a good long-term investment for Rangers
According to The Athletic (h/t Glasgow Live), Rangers are among a number of clubs in Europe interested in signing highly-rated Rochdale youngster Kwadwo Baah.
However, Steven Gerrard’s side are expected to face stiff competition in pursuit of the teenage attacker. Premier League outfit West Ham have been credited with an interest while continent giants Bayern Munich and Juventus are also understood to be hot on trail of the youngster. (The Athletic h/t Glasgow Live)
The 18-year-old has caught the eye with his potential in EFL League One this season but is out of contract next summer. That has prompted Rochdale to cash in on the youngster this month to avoid the risk of losing him for nothing at the end of the campaign.
Profile
Born in Germany to Ghanaian parents, Kwadwo Baah migrated to London as a youngster. He honed his skills in the youth ranks of Crystal Palace. He also spent time at the Kinetic Academy and played one game for Surrey-based outfit Whyteleafe before joining Rochdale in 2019.
The 18-year-old made 10 appearances in all competitions for Rochdale last term but has really come to the fore with some sparkling displays this season. Baah is yet to establish himself as a regular starter at the Spotland Stadium but has contributed with 3 goals and 2 assists in 13 league appearances so far.
Baah has showcased the versatility to operate out wide on either flank and is eligible to represent England, Germany and Ghana at the international level.
The current state of Rangers attack
Rangers aren’t really short of cover in the final third, especially after the arrival of Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itten in the summer. Roofe has established himself as a key player in the set-up with his versatility. Itten, meanwhile, has been restricted to a bit-part role so far.
Ryan Kent remains an undisputed starter and a standout performer on the left while Gerrard has done well to rotate the likes of Ianis Hagi and Roofe on the other side. Joe Aribo has also filled in on several occasions. Hence, Rangers already have quite a lot of depth in their forward line to compete on multiple fronts.
Having said that, however, the lack of quality alternatives remains a pressing concern for Gerrard moving forward. Jordan Jones is apparently not in the manager’s plans while Greg Stewart and Brandon Barker have offered very little over the past 12 months. Hence, it would make perfect sense for the Gers to weigh up some fresh additions with an eye on the future.
Baah an ideal signing for Rangers?
Rangers have already used the pre-contract method to good effect this month. The Gers have agreed to sign Scott Wright from Aberdeen while Jack Simpson is also set to join Gerrard’s ranks ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.
While Wright’s inclusion is expected to bolster the club’s forward line, Rangers should continue to look for more quality in the market. Striking a deal for Kwadwo Baah, to that end, would be yet another shrewd piece of business for the Ibrox giants.
The 18-year-old has shown real promise at Rochdale in the Football League this season. He is not quite the finished article just yet but his early potential certainly points to a bright future in the game. That Baah has attracted interest from elite clubs like Bayern Munich and Juventus speaks volumes.
Baah might not be ready to walk into Rangers’ starting XI at the moment but he would represent a useful squad option for sure. The Gers need some upgrades to replace the likes of Barker, Stewart and Jones. The teenager is capable of playing out wide on both flanks and has plenty of room for development.
Read more
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All in all, Rangers beating off competition for Kwadwo Baah could pay off handsomely for their long-term plans moving forward.
