Rangers Firm on Not Selling Ryan Naderi This January
Rangers have reportedly informed interested clubs that Ryan Naderi will not be sold in January, according to journalist Fraser Fletcher. Several clubs, including Wolverhampton Wanderers, West Ham, an unnamed Premier League club, and a Bundesliga team have expressed interest in the 23-year-old striker. However, sources from Ibrox have indicated that they are unwilling to consider any offers until the summer transfer window.
Naderi was signed for £4.7 million from Hansa Rostock on deadline day during the winter transfer window and has quickly proven to be a valuable asset to the team. In the 2026/27 league season, he boasts 10 goal contributions in just 11 matches, establishing himself as a key figure in head coach Derek McInnes’s attacking strategy. With a contract that extends until 2029, Rangers are in a strong position to set their asking price.
Naderi’s Impact on McInnes’s Squad
Naderi’s ascension to prominence stemmed from necessity, as team mates Youssef Chermiti and Lawrence Shankland sustained injuries during a critical period. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches, he excels in aerial confrontations, contributing two goals via headers in a 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock on October 10. Data from FotMob highlights his strong defensive contributions and creativity, ranking among the top forwards in the league. Notably, he scored his first Old Firm goal, decisively impacting the match against Celtic with a winning strike on September 20.
Despite his strengths, Naderi has room for improvement. He struggles with dribbling, completing less than one-third of his attempts while also experiencing difficulties in duels, winning fewer than four out of ten. Consequently, he tends to find success when the team’s wide players deliver early crosses rather than when tasked with creating chances on his own.
This assessment underlines Rangers’ decision to retain him through the January window. As the team remains competitive in both the league and domestic cups, locating a striker with Naderi’s outputs will be incredibly challenging during a period when selling teams are typically reluctant to part with their players. Reports indicate that Naderi shares the ambition of winning trophies in Glasgow before considering a future move.
Evaluating Rangers’ Decision to Hold on to Naderi
PAISLEY, SCOTLAND – NOVEMBER 07: Ryan Naderi of Rangers celebrates scoring his team’s first goal via a penalty kick during the William Hill Premiership 2026/27 match between St. Mirren and Glasgow Rangers at St Mirren Park on November 07, 2026 in Paisley, Scotland. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)
Rangers are justified in rejecting any January offers for Naderi, primarily due to the challenge of finding a replacement. With no league title secured since 2021, McInnes lacks viable alternatives who can match Naderi’s scoring rate while Chermiti and Shankland seek to regain full fitness. Selling him mid-season could create a significant gap in their title pursuit.
From a financial perspective, keeping Naderi also makes sense. His contract, extending to 2029, suggests that his valuation will continue to rise, potentially leading to a more lucrative sale in the summer while allowing enough time for recruitment to identify a successor. The club should consider protecting their interests by negotiating an improved contract with a high release clause, considering they paid a relatively modest fee of £4.7 million, ensuring that any future suitors will face a substantial hurdle to acquire the striker.
