The Belgian manager wants transfer changes as he faces losing key players in the summer; the loan signing of Fabio Silva is the club's only January addition so far
Friday 19 January 2024 17:08, UK
Philippe Clement has admitted he hopes to see an improved transfer model at Rangers after bemoaning the "crazy situation" where five players are out of contract in the summer.
First-team players Leon Balogun, Borna Barisic, John Lundstram, Ryan Jack and Kemar Roofe will all depart at the end of the season unless they are offered and accept new deals by the Ibrox club.
The sale of players such as defender Calvin Bassey to Ajax and midfielder Joe Aribo to Southampton - both in 2022 - and Glen Kamara to Leeds last summer has brought in over £30m, although the Govan club did not cash in on the likes of former attackers Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos when they were in top form.
The Gers boss has only brought in Portuguese striker Fabio Silva on loan from Wolves so far in the January transfer window.
Ahead of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup fourth-round tie against Dumbarton - at the Dumbarton Football Stadium on Saturday - he was keen to speak about a more progressive transfer policy.
Clement said: "We have our plan and I feel that everybody is aligned, that the club really wants to make an effort to do things inside of the budget.
"This season to have five players out of contract is a crazy situation because you throw away money. They have no value any more if the contract is ended.
"I know that we are not the most wealthy club in the world. We want to get transfers in that can have an impact now but also can have added value for the next couple of years on the field and selling them for bigger amounts.
"If you look at the last couple of years, this is one thing that the club has missed. They didn't have big outgoing transfers and because of that, not getting money in to do other things.
"That is one of the targets, strange as it is for a manager to talk about that but I want to help in that way so the club can grow in every sense.
"I would prefer to buy Fabio but he was too expensive, that is why it is a loan now.
"It is getting a good balance in the squad, good experienced players and also young prospects that you can let grow to a higher level than Glasgow Rangers. That is the objective. And you need to have players who are in contract.
"So there is a lot of work to be done in that way, everybody in the club is working hard in that way to have clear vision of how to bring money into the club by developing players but getting results also, winning trophies.
"You don't have the situation where you have players of value going free at the end of contract - it can never happen."
Clement was again asked to comment on Ridvan Yilmaz, who reportedly told the Belgian that he wants to leave Rangers for Galatasaray.
However, the Ibrox manager insisted the 22-year-old Turkey left-back was committed to the cause.
He said: "If he was not committed he would never have played against Hertha or Copenhagen (friendlies).
"He is committed to the club and what he has to do here, otherwise he would not be on the pitch.
"Until now I don't have the feeling from any player that they are jumping to leave the building.
"I feel everyone is really involved in the club and what is going on here but it doesn't mean that it can't change tomorrow."
The winter transfer window is now open and will close at 11pm in England and 11.30pm in Scotland on Thursday 1 February, 2024.
To ensure harmonisation with the major leagues in Europe, the closing dates were set following discussions with the EFL, DFL, Serie A, LaLiga, and LFP, who will all close their summer and winter windows on 1 September and 1 February respectively.
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms, while you can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News, including daily transfer shows, and listen to our Transfer Talk podcast.
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