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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

Josh Maja to Rangers transfer roadblock removed in honest Bordeaux chief reveal as Morgan Whittaker door opens

Rangers boss Michael Beale has welcomed a host of new recruits into Ibrox this summer and his bid to bolster the frontline is far from over.

The Light Blues are closing in on striker Cyriel Dessers, who's been a long-term target for the Scottish Premiership title hopefuls as the manager looks to build a squad capable of dethroning Celtic, as well as reaching the coveted Champions League group stage. The Nigerian will join Abdallah Sima and Sam Lammers already in the building as a part of an extensive attacking options revamp. Jose Cifuentes and Danilo also remain on the Ibrox agenda and, with the likes of Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos leaving the club in the summer, fans are keen to see more firepower arrive in Govan.

Josh Maja has been touted as a Rangers target and would is available on a Bosman with his Bordeaux contract expiring. He now appears unlikely to stick around in the south of France with the club missing out on a return to Ligue 1. A one year extension would have been triggered automatically had the fallen French giants returned to the top flight.

Bordeaux striker Josh Maja (Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Bordeaux owner Gerard Lopez has all but admitted defeat in his bid to keep the forward amid a "complicated" situation with the former Sunderland striker - with a last-ditch one-year extension offer knocked back. He told media in France: "We had discussions with Josh Maja.

"He was important for the season and we like him a lot. He has opportunities elsewhere, it's not over for us but it's more complicated."

Winger Morgan Whittaker remains on the long list of Rangers targets this summer with Beale a long-term admirer. Swansea City knocked back multiple attempts to bring the 22-year-old to Ibrox in January.

(Getty Images)

But new sporting director at the English Championship Paul Watson has admitted that players will have to be sold this summer as he ramps up his player-trading vision - leaving the door open for Gers to make their move. He told BBC Wales: "Every sporting director, every manager at every club, wants to spend more money.

"But we’ve got to do it in the correct way which is in line with how the club wants to move forward. We want to keep the players in the building but, ultimately, if an offer comes that we feel is right and means we can re-invest and ultimately get better - then we’ll look at it."

Elsewhere, Luis Palma looks set to be on the move from Aris - but not to join Rangers. According to reports in Greece, Ludogorets are reportedly on the brink of sealing a deal for the forward as they look to navigate the Champions League qualifying rounds.

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