Rangers linked striker seals club-record transfer

Rangers linked striker seals club-record transfer

MLS club Chicago Fire claim they beat out multiple ‘other teams’ for Hugo Cuypers, the Rangers-linked striker who has signed a club-record deal to leave KAA Gent.

When you consider the sum Chicago Fire eventually paid to send Cuypers across the Atlantic, it’s remarkable that Ibrox was even discussed as a possible destination.

The Illinois-based company might reportedly pay an eye-watering £12 million, with add-ons included. A value that exceeds the agreement that brought former Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Inter Milan winger Xherdan Shaqiri to Soldier Field in 2022.

According to Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri, Rangers’ pursuit of Cuypers was both real and serious,

despite the club’s earlier interest in Emmanuel Dennis and Steven Alzate.

When it became clear how much the Chicago Fire were willing to pay to outperform their rivals,

Rangers’ dreams of bringing one of Europe’s most productive forwards to Glasgow swiftly faded.

Rangers linked striker completes club-record transfer.

“We’re thrilled to officially welcome Hugo Cuypers to the club,” said Chicago Fire sporting director Georg Heitz on the MLS website.

“We have been highly keen on obtaining a striker in the peak of their career with a proven track record of scoring  goals in a very competitive league.”

Cuypers is undoubtedly that. He scored 34 goals for Gent last season and has 16 goals in the first half of this campaign.

“Hugo has been one of the top goal scorers in the Belgian First Division in recent seasons. And, despite having interest from other teams,

he had a great desire to join the Fire and contribute to our objective of being one of the top clubs in MLS,” Heitz said.

“We are certain Hugo will be a game-changer for our team. “We are excited to have him in Chicago for the start of the 2024 MLS season.”

New players make their imprint at Ibrox.

The Rangers did, however, successfully reinforce a skilled if uneven frontline.

Fabio Silva joined on loan from Wolves and made his debut in last week’s 3-0 win over Livingston. Philippe Clement, on the other hand,

praised Oscar Cortes after excelling off the bench in a recent home game against Aberdeen.

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