Rangers fear they will be priced out of a summer move to bring winger Vaclav Cerny back to Glasgow. The Ibrox club has been quietly exploring a deal with Besiktas for the 28-year-old, just one year after the Czech international completed a five million Euro transfer to the Turkish giants.
Cerny became a favorite at Ibrox during his highly successful loan spell from German side Wolfsburg during the 2024/25 campaign. While the winger originally hoped to secure a permanent stay in Scotland, Rangers’ former sporting director Kevin Thelwell and former manager Russell Martin chose to pursue other transfer targets instead.
Ibrox officials now view that decision as a significant recruitment error and have made discreet inquiries to see if they can correct the mistake in the current transfer window.
The Financial Roadblock
While Cerny is open to returning to Scotland, negotiating a deal with Besiktas presents a massive financial challenge. The Turkish club is under no pressure to let him go, even after securing a £17 million signing in Belgian international Leandro Trossard from Arsenal and targeting Leicester City’s Abdul Fatawu.
Cerny still has three years left on his contract in Istanbul, earning an estimated £45,000 per week. These high wages mean Rangers would struggle to afford him, even if Besiktas agreed to a loan deal later in the summer. Barring a dramatic change in financial circumstances, Cerny is unlikely to be a realistic option for new Rangers manager Derek McInnes.
Midfield Targets: The Race for Jens Hjerto-Dahl
With the Cerny deal looking unlikely, McInnes is turning his attention to other areas of the squad as he plans a busy rebuild before the transfer window closes at the end of August.
Rangers have expressed serious interest in Tromso’s highly rated midfielder, Jens Hjerto-Dahl. However, the Glasgow club faces steep competition for the Norway under-21 international. Tromso recently turned down a £5.5 million bid from Cardiff City, choosing to hold out for their full £7.5 million valuation.
Tromso sports director Lars Petter Kraemer-Andressen confirmed that active discussions are ongoing. He noted that while several clubs are interested, Tromso has high expectations regarding the final price, and any move must go to a club that matches the player’s own career ambitions.