Rangers ready for deadline-day drama as Kevin Kelsy deal done and winger double swoop looms

1pm update GMT

Rangers have completed the signing of Kevin Kelsy from Portland Timbers as Derek McInnes' side enters the final hours of the Scottish transfer window with further business still possible.

The Venezuelan striker has been in the works for some time after being identified as the replacement for Youssef Chermiti, who suffered an ACL injury against Hibs and is expected to remain sidelined until after the New Year at the earliest.

Rangers fans have been waiting for official confirmation of Kelsy's arrival, but MLS insider Tom Bogert has moved to reassure supporters that there is no need for concern over the deal.

Bogert revealed that the transfer is now done, with the final delay understood to have been connected to the player receiving a share of the transfer fee.

Speaking to Soccerwise HQ, Bogert said: "Kevin Kelsy to Rangers is finally done I am told.

"It took a little bit here at the end. He travelled to Europe several days ago. The Scottish window is open until tomorrow night. That deal is done. £9.5million plus add-ons. A huge deal for the Portland Timbers."

Bouanani move gathers pace

Rangers are now working on a potential move for Stuttgart winger Badredine Bouanani.

The winger was set to move to Strasbourg but the Gers are now in pole position.

McInnes hinted after the Falkirk victory that the club could have another piece of business to complete when he spoke to sporting director Jim Gillespie.

"There may be one other little thing that we'll still pick up on when I come off the coach tonight and speak to Jim potentially," he said.

That "little thing" now appears to be Bouanani, with the Algerian winger is understood to be close to joining Rangers on loan from Stuttgart, with an option to buy reportedly worth €18 million.

Bouanani has already travelled to Scotland and is undergoing his medical ahead of the proposed move, with the deal needing to be completed before the Scottish deadline.

The 21-year-old is a familiar face to Rangers supporters. He previously played for Nice and scored against Philippe Clement's Rangers during the 4-1 Europa League victory at Ibrox in 2024.

He has since moved to Stuttgart but could now return to Scotland in a deal which would give Rangers the option to make the move permanent.

The €18m figure would represent a major potential investment and could become a Scottish record transfer fee if Rangers eventually decide to activate the clause.

Bajraktarevic another option

Bouanani may not be the only winger Rangers have been working on. Esmir Bajraktarevic is another name on the club's deadline-day radar, with Rangers in discussions with PSV over the 21-year-old US-born Bosnian international.

Daily Record reporter Scott Burns has reported that Bajraktarevic is another option being considered by the Ibrox club.

The winger joined PSV from New England Revolution in January 2025 and has a contract with the Dutch club until 2029.

Rangers' recruitment team have conducted extensive work on the player, with Dan Purdy understood to have been closely involved in the process.

Bajraktarevic has also attracted interest from elsewhere, meaning any Rangers move would need to progress quickly.

Rik Elfrink has reported that the player “could still leave” PSV, although Rangers face competition for his signature.

No Cerny return

One player who will not be returning to Ibrox is Vaclav Cerny. Rangers had previously been linked with another move for the Czech winger following his spell at the club, but a deal with Besiktas is not expected to materialise.

Cerny's salary and his reluctance to leave Turkey, where he benefits from the country's tax arrangements, have effectively ended the possibility of a return.

That leaves McInnes looking at other options as he attempts to strengthen his wide areas.

Aasgaard follows Barron and Cameron out

There has also been movement in the opposite direction.

Thelo Aasgaard has joined Anderlecht on loan with a €6 million purchase clause, following Connor Barron and Lyall Cameron out of the Rangers squad on loan.

He had also been linked with a move to Bodo/Glimt.

Aasgaard will spend the season in Belgium and joins former Rangers teammate Oliver Antman, who also left Ibrox earlier in the summer.

Barron has completed his move to Middlesbrough, while Cameron has joined Dundee United for the season.

The three departures have helped create further room in McInnes' squad.

Nsiala set for Pafos move

Clinton Nsiala is also expected to leave Rangers before the deadline.

The defender is set to join Cypriot side Pafos on loan, where he would link up with former Brazil and Chelsea defender David Luiz.

There has also been interest from Turkish side Bursaspor, but the Pafos move is currently the most likely.

McCausland and Souttar available

Ross McCausland remains available for a loan move, with Bursaspor among the clubs showing interest in the winger for a loan move.

John Souttar is another player who could leave Ibrox before the Scottish deadline.

There has been interest from MLS clubs, while a number of Scottish Premiership sides could also look to bring the Scotland international in on loan.

Munn loan situation

Goalkeeper Mason Munn is also available for a loan move.

The Northern Irish goalkeeper has fallen down the pecking order following the arrival of Ivor Pandur and currently sits behind Pandur, Liam Kelly and teenage goalkeeper Rydnn McGuire.

Munn spent time on loan with Dunfermline and Forfar last season, but neither spell developed as hoped.

A further temporary move would give him the opportunity to gain regular first-team football.

Miovski may stay

Bojan Miovski, meanwhile, looks increasingly likely to remain at Rangers. There had been potential routes out of Ibrox involving Feyenoord, LASK and Genclerbirligi, but each avenue has now faded.

The striker is therefore expected to remain part of McInnes' squad beyond the deadline unless there is a late swoop from Greece or another nation with a longer window.

Cifuentes remains until January

Jose Cifuentes is another player who will stay at Rangers, at least until the January window.

The midfielder is continuing his recovery from surgery following his loan spell with Toronto FC and is not expected to move on before the end of the current window.

Raskin stays after Besiktas drama

Nicolas Raskin's future has also taken another dramatic turn.

Rangers have rejected a €12 million offer from Besiktas after the Ibrox club pulled out of a proposed loan deal with an option-to-buy.

The Belgian midfielder had been at the centre of significant transfer speculation in recent days, with Besiktas attempting to secure his services.

However, Rangers have now rejected the latest proposal and Raskin looks increasingly likely to remain at Ibrox after returning to the team against Falkirk following two missed matchday squads against Jablonec and Aberdeen.

McInnes had previously made clear that he would be happy to keep the midfielder.

"Nico has been first class," the Rangers boss said.

"Since he's come back from the World Cup, he's been good as gold, trained brilliantly.

"There has been a lot of chat with potential interest and a lot of conversation had with the club with prospective buyers.

"But until an offer comes in that the club needs to consider, then Nico just has to knuckle down and train.

"He's been brilliant, and I have no doubts if the window closes and Nico is still a Rangers player, then he will give brilliant service as he has previously."

That is now looking increasingly likely.

Rangers' final hours

The picture at Ibrox has therefore changed considerably from McInnes' initial expectation that Kelsy would be the club's final signing.

Kelsy's arrival is now done, with the Portland Timbers receiving around £9.5m plus add-ons.

Bouanani is closing in on a loan move with an €18m purchase option, while Bajraktarevic remains another possibility as Rangers assess their final attacking move.

At the same time, Rangers are working to find destinations for several players who have fallen outside McInnes' immediate plans.

The Scottish transfer window closes at 5pm on Thursday, meaning the next few hours could still bring further movement at Ibrox.

What appeared set to be a relatively quiet deadline day has suddenly become anything but.

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