The next time that Danny Rohl sits in front of the microphones at a press conference will be the last opportunity for those on the other side of the table to ask him about transfers in and out.
Come that moment on Sunday evening, there will be just over 24 hours left of what has been a hectic, headline-grabbing window. Will it have the ‘crazy’ end that Rohl predicted when he spoke ahead of the defeat to Porto on Thursday night?
Read more:
- What Hansa Rostock manager Daniel Brinkmann said on Rangers pursuit of Ryan Naderi
- Premier League clubs track Rangers keeper, contract talks latest
- Rohl on Danilo, midfield transfers and why he won't speak about Porto game again
The arrivals of Tuur Rommens, Tochi Chukwuani and Andreas Skov Olsen provided the foundations for this month. The coming days are about adding the finishing touches in the shape of a finisher, and the pursuit of a forward option continues to dominate the agenda.
One source has told the Rangers Review that it is currently 'probably 50/50' whether another move is completed or not. As always, things can develop quickly, especially in the heightened fervour of the January window. It is understood Rangers do not want to be forced into another deal and there is an insistence that they will not sign a player for the sake of it having completed those aforementioned transfers and resisted interest in some of their own assets.
Work is continuing and will continue over the coming days. Rangers will not scramble towards the finishing line, however. Right now, it is a waiting game and Rangers find themselves in a chain, waiting for pieces to fall into place.
Rangers were on the front foot at the start of the window and are now in a position where they can be opportunistic if the right player was available at the right time. Additions at centre-back and in midfield are sought by some supporters, but it is understood that a forward is the only item on Rohl's shopping list.
One name that is prominent is that of Ryan Naderi. The Rangers Review reported on the move for the 22-year-old earlier this week but no agreement has yet been reached. Rangers want the player and the player wants Rangers, but the third party is proving to be the most difficult to convince as Hansa Rostock stand firm.
The issues have been twofold since negotiations first commenced. Rightly, Hansa want as high a fee for their prized asset as possible. Boss Daniel Brinkmann also wants a replacement in the door, wary of the impact that losing his main striker would have on their attempts to win 3. Liga this term.
"It's a difficult situation for us, also for the boys," Brinkmann said on Thursday. "It's not an easy situation if you're dealing with it every day. We're trying to deal with it as well as we can, and we're trying to keep in good contact with him. I think the situation has been pretty clear from our point of view and position, namely that we want to keep Ryan in the winter."
Rangers have tried to address the first issue by putting more money on the table but a fee that is over the £3million mark – a potential record for the division - has not convinced Hansa to deal. There is a belief at Ostseestadion that Naderi will be worth more come the summer and the situation in that sense is similar to the stance taken by the Ibrox hierarchy in the cases of Djeidi Gassama and Youssef Chermiti after suitors were told that neither would be for sale this month. That is the risk and reward that Hansa must weigh up.
Could there be a danger that they do not lose Naderi in person, but they lose him in spirit? Naderi trained with Brinkmann’s side once again on Friday ahead of the fixture with FC Ingolstadt on Saturday afternoon. Naturally, his future is at the forefront of his mind.
Naderi has made his position clear and has set his heart on a move to join up with Rohl’s squad and his camp remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached for him to be thrust into the Premiership title battle. Naderi’s wish to sign for Rangers is such that he has offered to pen a deal in Glasgow but remain in Rostock until the end of the campaign. Even that compromise – a have your cake and eat it scenario for Brinkmann – has not been enough to convince the Germans and further rounds of discussions are to be held.
There is commitment from both sides to make Naderi a Rangers player at some stage but Rohl’s need is pressing and he must get a striker in the door before Monday night. As previously outlined by the Rangers Review, the pursuit of Naderi has not been an all or nothing endeavour and loan possibilities have been worked on alongside the permanent option.
Cameron Archer, the Southampton forward, has been suggested as one potential target in that regard. The 24-year-old is able to play wide or through the middle and has two goals in 19 Championship appearances this term.
Joel Piroe has been repeatedly mentioned as a possible recruit, but the Rangers Review understands there is no appetite from the player's perspective for that move as it stands. Sources south of the border have reaffirmed Piroe’s wish to play in the Premier League for the second half of the campaign. A move for Jorgen Strand Larsen to Elland Road would perhaps alter the situation but there has been little - in either Leeds or Glasgow - to substantiate the rumours so far.
Rohl gave little away when asked about the situation around Danilo post-match on Thursday night. Paphos placed a £2million bid earlier this week but a return to the Eredivisie has always been a more palatable proposition for the former Feyenoord forward and a loan deal with NEC Nijmegen is on the agenda.
It is understood that will only be signed off if Rangers are confident they will get another option in the door. Rohl has faith in Chermiti and Bojan Miovski but does not want to leave himself short and with only two recognised figures at No.9. That metaphor about pieces falling into place holds true in that situation.
“At the moment, I can’t confirm,” Rohl said. “My full focus was on this game, but tomorrow I’ll be back and get updates on what I have to know. Let’s see. In the next hours and days, there may be some movement.”
Those were Rohl’s last words on transfer business for now. He will, of course, be asked again post-match at Easter Road. Plenty can happen between now and then.
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