Godwin ObajeRangers Close In On Gassama As Martin’s Summer Overhaul Gathers Pace
There is something about the Ibrox air in mid-July that suggests transformation, though whether it will be as dramatic as some fans hope remains to be seen.
Rangers are poised to announce the signing of Sheffield Wednesday winger Djeidi Gassama, sources close to the deal have confirmed. The French forward is expected to be unveiled in the coming days, adding much-needed pace and unpredictability to Russell Martin’s attacking options.
But Gassama’s arrival is no isolated move. Multiple insiders believe this is just the first wave of Martin’s reshaping of a squad that, while talented, has often struggled for consistency in recent seasons. A significant clear-out is now firmly on the table, with up to five players expected to depart before the window shuts.
The Man In The Middle Of It All
Russell Martin has only been in the manager’s chair for a matter of weeks, yet already he has made it clear that complacency will have no place at Ibrox. Those who have trained under him at previous clubs say the 38-year-old is disarmingly straightforward in his expectations: work hard, play with purpose, and do not assume your place is safe.
One source close to the Rangers dressing room told me: “Russ doesn’t mince his words. He told the lads, ‘You’re all starting on a clean slate — but you’ve got to earn it. If you can’t, we’ll find someone who will.’ That’s put a few noses out of joint already.”
Gassama’s signing underscores Martin’s emphasis on wide players who can break lines, stretch play and commit defenders — traits Rangers sorely lacked at times last season when their attack drifted into predictability.
A former Paris Saint-Germain youth product, Gassama moved to Sheffield Wednesday last year, and despite the Owls’ struggles, he earned praise for his willingness to run at defences and take risks in the final third.
“Djeidi is fearless, he’ll drive at you all game if you let him,” a Championship scout said. “He’s raw, but with the right coaching, he could be a real asset for Rangers.”
The Departures Lurking Behind The Headlines
While new signings always make the headlines, the real story this summer may be about who leaves. Five players, whose names the club has not officially disclosed, are understood to be in advanced talks about moves away from Ibrox.
Some are fringe figures who simply don’t fit Martin’s style; others are senior players who, despite past contributions, have not convinced the new manager that they can deliver what’s required.
“Russell wants a group that can handle the ball better under pressure,” said a source familiar with Martin’s tactical demands. “If you can’t do that, he’ll move you on. He’s not sentimental about it.”
For a club the size of Rangers, balancing sentiment and success is always a tricky dance. There is, after all, the weight of history, the shadows of past glories. Yet as Celtic’s domestic dominance has shown in recent years, romance counts for little if you cannot keep pace on the pitch.
What Comes Next
Insiders say Rangers’ recruitment team are already deep in talks with further targets across Europe. One deal, involving a defensive midfielder currently playing in the Belgian Pro League, is believed to be in the final stages. Another, for a versatile full-back, may yet hinge on whether a current defender agrees to depart.
Fans hoping for a marquee signing — a statement to rattle their Old Firm rivals — may need to temper expectations. Martin’s approach appears more surgical than spectacular: plugging gaps, adding speed, and prioritising players who can press high and recover quickly when possession is lost.
“He wants legs,” one agent who has dealt with Rangers this summer told me. “If you can’t run, you won’t last under him.”
That, more than any single headline deal, might define Rangers’ summer: a pivot to a squad built for energy and adaptability, not just tradition.
Godwin Obaje
admin
