Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst could turn to Nikola Katic as a transfer alternative according to Ibrox legend Barry Ferguson - as a move for Antonio Colak moves high on the priority list.
The Croatian forward has been heavily linked with a move to Ibrox this summer from Greek side PAOK after two goals for Malmo last summer helped dump Rangers out of the Champions League qualifiers. A fee of £1.8 million has been mooted but no deal is over the line yet in a summer where the Light Blues boss has only captured Scotland defender John Souttar, so far.
Ferguson is in no doubt that van Bronckhorst wants to get a deal for Colak over the line amid rumours star striker Alfredo Morelos is wanted over in Spain. In the defensive line, they have lost experienced centre-back Leon Balogun, but Katic could come in to fill the Nigerian's void.
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He spent last term on loan at Hadjuk Split after a knee injury under previous boss Steven Gerrard, and heading into his fourth year at Ibrox, Ferguson expects an impact.
On Colak and Katic, the former midfielder wrote in his Daily Record column: "It’s still early in the transfer window but if they get Colak done early, having already added John Souttar to last season’s squad, then things will be starting to take shape.
"Niko Katic is also back at Auchenhowie and he could give Gio another defensive option now that Leon Balogun has left the club so competition for places is looking healthy.
"As a manager, you have to learn to be patient because there are a lot of moving parts to getting these deals done in terms of the negotiations over a fee and then haggling with agents.
"It all takes time and if Rangers can save a couple of quid in the process, then that’s what they have to do. But, from Gio’s perspective, he’ll want it all finalised yesterday and I’m sure he’ll be stressing that to the guys upstairs.
"As always with all new signings, the proof will be in the pudding where Antonio Colak and Rangers are concerned.
"I’m sure Giovanni van Bronckhorst will be desperate to get this deal over the line as quickly as possible because time is marching on and the new season is only four weeks away.
"It’ll be frustrating for Gio because, in an ideal world, you want your new players signed and sealed and part of the group for the first day of pre-season."
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