Clement could land Boyd 2.0 with Rangers swoop for 6 ft 1 machine.
Rangers are still looking for another acquisition this month and could add another striker to their roster.
Glasgow Rangers may enjoy the last days of the transfer window, based on their newest addition.
On Friday, the Gers confirmed the signing of Mohammed Diomande. The midfielder will join on loan with the option to buy in the summer, benefiting all parties involved.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Philippe Clement has reportedly agreed to sign Brazilian left-back Jefte before the deadline.
Could there perhaps be another signing or two before next week, however, especially with Clement desperately needing to bolster his attacking options.
Rangers search for a new striker
While it appears that the midfield is covered following the signing of Diomande and the left-back position bolstered by the agreement to sign Jefte, the Belgian still requires at least another forward if he looks to add more trophies this season.
One name that has been perennially linked with the Ibrox side is Lawrence Shankland. Could the final days of the winter window see the Gers finally make a concrete move for the Hearts forward?
According to Football Insider, the club have reportedly turned their attention back towards making a move for Shankland this month and his contract with Hearts expires at the end of next season.
Journalist Dean Jones provided a more recent update on the situation when speaking to GIVEMESPORT, saying:
“Hearts fans are counting down the days and becoming increasingly optimistic that the deal will not go through. I’m informed there’s a chance, but don’t rule out a Rangers move for Shankland.
“It is unlikely to happen, but it is not out of the question. So, if Rangers fans are seeking for hope that this agreement is still alive, it is, but only just.
If the deal goes through, it might be similar to the one that brought striker Kris Boyd to Ibrox from Kilmarnock in January 2006, and the 28-year-old could potentially have an impact like the former Gers goal machine.
Kris Boyd enjoyed a goal-laden spell at Rangers
Although Boyd was much younger than Shankland when he was linked with a move to the Gers in 2006, he had spent the previous four and a half seasons scoring for fun in Scotland, netting 63 goals during this spell, and it led Alex McLeish to lure him to Ibrox.
Over the next four and a half years, Boyd became the best natural Scottish finisher at the club since a certain Ally McCoist, scoring 112 goals while winning six major honours before he left to join Middlesbrough in 2010.
Kris Boyd enjoyed a goal-laden spell at Rangers
Although Boyd was much younger than Shankland when he was linked with a move to the Gers in 2006, he had spent the previous four and a half seasons scoring for fun in Scotland, netting 63 goals during this spell, and it led Alex McLeish to lure him to Ibrox.
Over the next four and a half years, Boyd became the best natural Scottish finisher at the club since a certain Ally McCoist, scoring 112 goals while winning six major honours before he left to join Middlesbrough in 2010.
Indeed, the former Gers captain even went as far to say that Shankland would be a perfect fit for Clement as he aims to strengthen, saying:
“Let’s start with Lawrence Shankland who catches my eye every time I see him play for Hearts.
“This guy has improved his game to such an extent over the last couple of years that I’m surprised he’s not been snapped up already but, watching him on Wednesday, I saw a ready made Rangers centre forward.”
His first season in the capital saw the 28-year-old find the back of the net on 28 occasions, and he even finished the Premiership season ranked third for goals scored, proving how impressive a campaign he had for Hearts.
Not only that, but the former Ayr United hitman also finished the season ranked first among the squad for goal frequency (a goal every 127 minutes) in the top flight, along with topping the pile for shots on target per game (1.4) and goals and assists (28) and his performances back in Scotland have clearly attracted a few potential suitors.
Despite a tough opening part of the current season, Shankland has enjoyed a solid run of form of late, and at the time of writing, he has already scored 18 goals and chipped in with three assists, as he looks on course to break his tallies for both metrics from last season.
If he makes the move to Rangers, the 28-year-old will be playing alongside a better calibre of player and this could certainly spur him on to find the back of the net even more regularly than he is now.
Cyriel Dessers is still dividing opinion among the Ibrox faithful. The Nigerian striker has shown glimpses of talent, with his goal in the latest win over Hibs proving that he has the creativity to make his Rangers career a success.
Ultimately, though, he will be judged by goals and goals alone. Having scored just 11 times in his opening 32 matches, the former Feyenoord striker has to do more if he aims to have a future at the club.
Signing the 6’1 captain, branded a “fantastic” captain by colleague Craig Gordon, might provide Dessers with the boost he needs to better his performance in the face of strong competition.
Shankland may have been slightly older than Boyd when he joined the Light Blues, but there is no doubt about his capacity to make an impression in Glasgow if he makes the transfer in the coming days.
It would be surprising to see him join Rangers, but the transfer window is full of surprises, and if he does, Clement might have his own Boyd at Ibrox in the second half of the season and beyond.
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