Glasgow Rangers often face hurdles in the transfer market, largely because the Ibrox club represents a uniquely challenging environment for new signings.
The expectations are relentless: Rangers must function as a trophy-winning machine packed with standout talent. Yet for many players, a move to Scotland is viewed merely as a springboard to Europe’s elite leagues.
Their city rivals have long embraced this reality, consistently developing and selling players for profit—a model Rangers have started to adopt, as seen with the arrival of Hamza Igamane.
Rather than pursuing proven stars, the Gers must gamble on potential.
That was the case when they invested £8 million in Youssef Chermiti, who hadn’t scored a competitive goal in two years at Everton.
Given consistent game time, the Portugal U21 international thrived, netting 15 Scottish Premiership goals—including two hat-tricks—in his debut season at Ibrox.
Rangers learn price tag for Premiership talent
Chermiti, who bagged a treble against Falkirk on the season’s final day, is now attracting interest from Feyenoord, with Rangers reportedly setting a £25 million valuation—proof of his dramatic rise in Glasgow.
Now, Derek McInnes’ recruitment team are eyeing a player who could mirror that trajectory by becoming a regular starter at Ibrox.
According to journalist Alan Nixon (via Patreon), Rangers are among several clubs chasing Dundee central defender Luke Graham in the summer window.
The Premiership side are willing to part with the defender for £1.5 million, which could hand Rangers a cut-price deal.
However, Nixon adds that Portsmouth are set to hold talks with the Scotland U21 international and will formalise an offer if they sense his willingness to join.
Rangers, Lincoln City, Stoke City, and Derby County are also vying to beat Pompey to his signature before the window closes.
Why Luke Graham could emulate Youssef Chermiti at Rangers
Chermiti serves as the ideal blueprint for prospective signings: one season at Ibrox has completely transformed his reputation.
Once written off as a flop after two goalless Premier League years with Everton, Rangers took a calculated risk—and it paid off handsomely.
Now valued at £25 million—well above the £8 million outlay—Chermiti is on Feyenoord’s radar, a far cry from the limited interest he generated just 12 months ago.
Graham, meanwhile, posted impressive Premiership stats last season, excelling in aerial and ground duels, yet his suitors so far appear limited to the English Championship and Rangers.
In April, Dundee boss Steven Pressley hinted that the defender aspires to play in the Premier League—but his current form hasn’t yet caught the attention of that level of club.
A move to Rangers, however, could give Graham the platform to shine on a bigger stage, under the intense spotlight of Ibrox, in both domestic and European competitions.
Recent Rangers graduates like Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey (via Ajax), and Nathan Patterson have all progressed to Premier League sides, proving that standout performances in Glasgow can open doors to England’s top tier.
With Premier League ambitions already on his mind, per his manager, Graham could view Ibrox as a stepping stone—rather than a relegation battle in the Championship.
Given his displays for Dundee last season, the added exposure at Rangers could soon attract interest from clubs far bigger than Stoke or Portsmouth.
Chermiti elevated his stock through consistent, high-quality performances at Ibrox—especially in the latter half of the campaign—and Graham has every chance to follow that same path.
