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Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

6 Rangers stars who could kickstart transfer exits as player trading model receives the ultimate test

Ross Wilson has been open about how he views the transfer model at Rangers.

The sporting director has insisted the club don't need to sell their top players but has conceded a time when they eventually do trade out.

That time could be now with so many Ibrox regulars out of contract in the summer of 2023.

It could be the last chance for Rangers to make big-money off some of their key men, while Gio van Bronckhorst will be hoping to put his own stamp on the dressing room.

And there is just the small matter of building a squad the Dutchman feels is capable of bringing the Scottish Premiership title back from Celtic.

Fans were given a taster of Wilson's vision coming to fruition in January when academy graduate Nathan Patterson made his big-money move to Everton and it could be even more important this time around.

Record Sport takes a look at the big decisions facing the sporting director this summer.

Ryan Kent

The winger made his loan deal from Liverpool permanent back in 2019 for a bumper £7.5million fee, but we are edging closer to the end of the four-year deal he penned at that time.

Kent's stock may never be higher having saved some of his best performance of the season for the Europa League, and will have no doubt earned admiring glances from clubs across Europe.

Ryan Kent (Getty Images)

Rumours of a return to the English Premier League have also popped up during almost every transfer window with Leeds United reportedly among the admirers.

Wilson will have to weigh up if the time is right to try and get maximum cash for the 25-year-old.

Alfredo Morelos

The Colombian is never far from a transfer rumour and fans will hope they have not seen the last of the striker in a Rangers jersey.

The club's all-time leading European goalscorer has become a talisman since signing for the club all the way back in 2017 from HJK Helsinki.

(SNS Group)

Gio van Bronckhorst seemed to be getting the best out of Morelos before his season was cut short through injury.

The Dutchman will no doubt be desperate to keep him but Wilson faces a big decision as he's free to pen a pre-contract with another side from January 2023.

Joe Aribo

Playmaker Aribo has been a vital part of the Rangers team throughout the campaign.

Whether he was acting as the heartbeat of the midfield, or playing as a makeshift striker in the absence of Morelos and Kemar Roofe, he has been a trusted part of the side.

(REUTERS)

However, having signed from Charlton for a £300,000 cross-border transfer fee Aribo could be central to Wilson's player-trading vision this summer.

The Nigeria international would command a bumper fee and with his contract up in 2023 the time could be right for a sale.

Ryan Jack

Having battled through injury this season Jack has proven himself to be a difference-maker in the Rangers midfield.

Ryan Jack celebrates (SNS Group)

He played a vital role in the surge to the Europa League final, the Scotland cap has formed a formidable partnership in the heart of the midfield with John Lundstram.

The 30-year-old has just one year left on his deal and given Jack's injury history Wilson may be tempted to sell if the right offer comes in for a player signed from Aberdeen for free.

Filip Helander

The towering centre-back endured a five month knee injury lay-off this term before returning to the first team, before a second hammer blow in April left him crocked until the end of the season.

The Swede showed his best form again during his first-team return, and earned a call-up to his national side during that stint.

(Getty Images)

With Connor Goldson and Leon Balogun out of contract this summer, Wilson faces a big call on the centre-back options at the club.

Helander signed for a fee in the region of £3.5million, and is another who is out of contract in 2023. A reasonable offer could see Rangers facing a stick or twist decision on the 29-year-old.

Calvin Bassey

The 22-year-old is the name on everyone's mind with Aston Villa leading the summer transfer race.

Calvin Bassey (Action Images via Reuters)

Bassey's form in the latter part of the season and on the run to Seville has caught the eye of clubs with Steven Gerrard keen on a reunion in the English Premier League.

They look unlikely to be the only side south of the border attempting to snap up the Nigeria international this summer, meaning Rangers could command a bumper fee for the versatile defender.

Having signed form Leicester for a cross-border transfer fee, any fee recouped would be a prime example of Wilson's plans for player-trading model at Ibrox.

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