Turkish club Fenerbahce are closing in on a deal for legendary Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci as Rangers are linked to striker Michy Batshuayi.

Turkish club Fenerbahce are closing in on a deal for legendary Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci as Rangers are linked to striker Michy Batshuayi.

Leading transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano believes that the 36-year-old Union Berlin defender will make €1.3 million (£1.1 million) during his six months in Turkey. With players like Dusan Tadic, Edin Dzeko, and Michy Batshuayi already at the club, the move is likely to put even more strain on Fenerbahce’s already substantial pay expenditure.

Michy Batshuayi.

Rangers are said to be leading the hunt for the Belgian striker, 30, who appears set to move on from Fenerbahce this window. Reports in Turkey have claimed the forward is on the way out of the Istanbul club whilst he’s just been spotted in Dubai as his teammates prepare for a crunch Super Lig game.

Fenerbahce to add Leonardo Bonucci to wage bill

Due to a lack of playing time, reports from Turkey indicate that the striker is prepared to depart the Istanbul club after 18 months. With ties to teams in Belgium and France, Michy Batshuayi is another top earner at Fenerbahce, so the Turks may be busy making moves this window.

Leonardo Bonucci

Rangers meanwhile are on the hunt for a new striker although it is not clear if the Ibrox club could match the sorts of wages Michy Batshuayi is earning at Fenerbahce.Given Fenerbahce’s move for Leonardo Bonucci one wonders if the Turkish side will now be looking to take some strain off the club’s wage bill, even on a temporary basis. Talk of wages has certainly dampened the excitement around any deal as Rangers fans continue to muse over who Philippe Clement might sign to become the club’s leading hitman this winter.

Can Rangers boss convince Michy Batshuayi?

Although Belgian manager Philippe Clement attempted to sign Michy Batshuayi for Club Brugge three and a half years ago, the fees associated with the transfer have cast doubt on the player’s ability to make the move. Though Michy Batshuayi may need to do the same, regular football, a title fight, fan adoration, and a run in the Europa League all have their own allure.

The circumstance also emphasizes how competitive Rangers are in the current transfer market, as the Gers are unable to offer the kind of compensation that draw players to Turkey.