Godwin ObajeRangers plot summer swoop for Czech-born Croatian striker Matija Frigan amid Russell Martin’s Ibrox reign
Rangers are preparing for a bold summer transfer strategy under their newly appointed head coach Russell Martin, with their first reported target already emerging on the radar: 22‑year‑old Croatian striker Matija Frigan of Belgian outfit KVC Westerlo.
Since Martin’s arrival at Ibrox last week, the Scottish champions have secured a period of calm to refine their squad ahead of the 2025–26 campaign. According to Croatian tabloid 24 Sata, the club have “a lot of interest” in Frigan and are hoping “to quickly hijack the deal” away from German side Hamburger SV and an unnamed La Liga club .
🎯 The Player at a Glance
Age and Nationality: Born in 2003, Frigan is a 22‑year‑old Croatian striker.
Club Career: Having joined Westerlo from Rijeka in July 2023, he has become a key attacking asset this season, finding the net 14 times and providing 4 assists in 41 appearances .
Contract: He is under contract until 2028, leaving Westerlo in strong position to command a significant fee. Transfermarkt currently values him at around €5 million, though Belgian sources suggest Westerlo are aiming for closer to €10 million .
International Status: A youth international, Frigan has also received a senior Croatia call-up—initially in August 2023—though he remains uncapped at senior level .
Style of Play: Standing at just over 6ft and described as left-footed, Frigan is noted for exceptional dribbling and finishing—one per‑chance goal was likened to a “Lionel Messi‑style” solo run .
🍀 Why Frigan Fits Martin’s Vision
- Youth and Development Profile
Martin has cultivated young talents during his tenures at Swansea and Southampton—mentoring players like Flynn Downes. Frigan, at just 22 and with clear upward momentum, aligns well with the kind of dynamic strikers Martin favours.
- Proven Scoring – and the Potential for More
Frigan’s career tally may read 14 goals from 41 games, yet that includes a breakthrough year at Rijeka (15 goals in 31 matches) and a steady progression in Belgium. Comparisons to Messi and Ronaldinho stem largely from his trickery and goalcraft —attributes valuable in the Scottish Premiership.
- Room to Grow
Frigan himself has admitted he’s still young, telling Germanijak:
“I’m still young. From that point of view, I don’t think it would be good to target some big, top clubs now.”
This maturity suggests a player open to measured development—Rangers could provide the right stepping stone.
💶 The Financial Picture
Westerlo’s Asking Price: Reports suggest a €10 million fee, supported by Westerlo’s placement in the Belgian top flight and their need to reinvest .
Transfermarkt Valuation: At €5 million, it’s notably lower—highlighting a potential negotiation gap. Rangers must bridge that to sway a five‑year contract player.
Competing Interests: Hamburger SV have reportedly engaged in “advanced discussions,” with lauded interest from a La Liga side creating a competitive environment .
Westerlo’s Flemish sporting director, Darko Raic Sudar, has openly acknowledged:
“We all think that Frigan will leave… He is our most valuable player on the market.”
That said, initial bids have not matched expectations:
“Two or three official offers came, but none of them satisfied us.”
🧭 Transfer Timeline & Rangers’ Position
Contract Situation: Frigan’s deal runs until 2028, so Westerlo hold leverage. However, they may be willing to negotiate in light of substantial interest and Frigan’s ambition to develop further.
Rangers’ Resources: With a reported £20 million transfer budget under Martin’s guidance , the club has capacity to negotiate.
Strategic Ambition: Replacement for departing strikers delightedly prioritised—Alfredo Morelos has left, Antonio Colak may also exit, and Kemar Roofe has been injury‑plagued. Frigan dovetails neatly into that vacancy.
🔄 Rivals in the Race
Hamburger SV: Deep into negotiations, they appear to be the front-runners for the Croat .
Unspecified La Liga Side: Though details remain vague, the fact they’re in the mix lends continental depth to the race .
Sunderland: Earlier this year, relegation‑battling Sunderland showed interest via loan‑to‑buy proposals worth up to £12.6m . However, their poor league standing makes a summer move unlikely.
Dinamo Zagreb: In Croatia, the domestic giants are monitoring, offering a path in European football closer to home .
🏟 Rangers’ Wider Transfer Strategy
Frigan is not the only player Martin is pursuing. According to The Sun, midfield engine Flynn Downes—valued at over £10 million—is top of Martin’s wishlist. Acquainted from their Southampton days, he represents the midfield profile Martin trusts .
Other declared targets are Leicester’s Conor Coady and Nottingham Forest’s Harry Toffolo, though Rangers already have Jefte and Ridvan Yilmaz at left-back .
🎙 Player and Agent’s Voices
Frigan recently stressed self-awareness and realism about his own career path:
“I need a step where I could continue to develop and progress… I’m still young.”
Meanwhile, his agent Dragan Skocic has acknowledged widespread interest:
“Every day, people from various clubs call me and tell me ‘an offer will come, an offer will come’… But, for now, there is none.”
The dynamic indicates a player who is well-regarded, yet not yet burdened by offers beyond Ukrainian ambition.
🧩 How Frigan Could Fit at Ibrox
Replacement for Morelos: With Morelos departed, Frigan’s blend of mobility, youth, and attacking sharpness could inject fresh impetus into the forward line.
Style Conversion: Martin’s tactical preference for possession with purpose heavily relies on forwards who can link play—Frigan’s dribbling range suggests he fits that mould.
Development Potential: With just one full season in European football beyond Croatia, he remains something of a project—ideal for a manager seeking long-term solutions rather than stop-gap fixes.
🚨 Summary: Key Points
Factor Details
Age 22 years, still room to grow
Performance 14 goals & 4 assists in 41 games for Westerlo 2024–25
Transfer Fee Westerlo seeking up to €10 million; current market value ~€5 million
Contract Duration Tied with Westerlo until 2028
Competition Hamburg SV, unnamed La Liga club, Dinamo Zagreb, Sunderland linked
Strategic Fit for Rangers Youth, possession utility, potential succession for departed striker(s)
Played Down Attention Player cautious of big clubs, open to steady development path
🧭 What’s Next
For Rangers to hijack the deal successfully, they must act swiftly, submit a competitive bid, and convince the Belgian club—and Frigan—of the merits of Ibrox, both in sporting ambition and developmental opportunity.
The transfer window opens on June 19, as Frigan noted . Rangers have less than two weeks to kick off this package either through pre-window offers or early negotiations.
Should they sign Frigan, it would represent Martin’s declaration of intent: building a dynamic, smart, and youthful frontline, while boldly using their financial muscle to win the transfer race.
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Final Thoughts
Russell Martin’s arrival at Ibrox marks a clear shift. Whereas past windows favoured stop-gaps or veterans, Frigan represents a long-term bet—a technically adept, physically strong and hungry forward in his early 20s. The emerging picture at Rangers is one of ambition, planning, and ambition backed by a £20 m war-chest.
Whether they can outmuscle teams like Hamburg SV depends not just on money, but on strategy: early bid, long-term vision, and a clear personal sell to a player cautious of rushing into the limelight.
If Rangers pull this off, Matija Frigan could not only be their first signing under Martin—but a forward central to the next chapter in their rebuild.
Godwin Obaje
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