Breaking: Rangers defender set to leave permanently – Ibrox Sources
Leon Balogun is unlikely to be offered a new deal to stay at Rangers beyond the end of the current campaign, sources have told Football Insider.
Rangers are fast approaching the climax of a season which has largely been one to forget, with only Ianis Hagi’s 96th-minute goal at Aberdeen preventing Celtic from sealing the title with five games to spare.
While sources have told Football Insider that Rangers’ incoming owners 49ers Enterprises plan to make at least six new signings amid a summer spending spree, several current players’ futures are up in the air.
With four loanees plying their trade at Ibrox this term in Oscar Cortes, Vaclav Cerny, Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Rafael Fernandes, Rangers only plan on bringing back Cerny on a permanent deal for next season.
However, sources have also told Football Insider that with Ianis Hagi, Tom Lawrence and Balogun also out of contract this summer, it is “doubtful” that Rangers will table a new contract offer for the latter.
Leon Balogun braced for Rangers exit
Balogun’s second spell at Rangers has been less successful than his first, returning to Ibrox in 2023 following a year at QPR and playing bit-part roles in each of the last two seasons for the Gers.
Although Balogun has featured 23 times in all competitions this term, impressing in several displays under Philippe Clement and Barry Ferguson, Football Insider sources doubt that he’ll be offered a new deal.
However, Balogun has still been plagued by injuries throughout Rangers’ campaign amid a swathe of defensive injuries at Ibrox, and now 36, the Nigerian international’s future looks set to lie away from Ibrox.
Rangers in need of defensive signing spree
While sources have told Football Insider that Rangers are hopeful of sealing Cerny’s signature on a permanent basis as soon as possible, reinforcements in central defence will also be needed at Ibrox.
Kasanwirjo and Fernandes look likely to bring their Gers careers to an end, and coupled with Balogun’s imminent exit, that would leave the much-maligned Robin Propper as a certain starter at the back.
Football Insider already revealed this month that Celtic’s Greg Taylor could make a shock move across Glasgow, but with a squad overhaul necessary, he could be the first of several new defenders.
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