Rangers are preparing for significant changes in the January transfer window as the club considers offloading midfielder Joe Rothwell, with Sheffield United positioning themselves to make a move.
The discussions come at a crucial period for the Glasgow side, who sit fourth in the Scottish Premiership after a difficult start and are under pressure to reshape the squad to compete with Celtic and Hearts.
A renewed sense of optimism has arrived under new manager Danny Rohl following the departure of Russell Martin, and the club’s hierarchy is eager to support him with the reinforcements needed to revive their campaign.
However, financial adjustments remain necessary.
Reports suggest Rangers are open to selling Rothwell as part of a broader attempt to free up a “substantial chunk” of the wage budget, and Bet365 odds suggest the move is likely.
The midfielder, who has played in the English Championship for Leeds United, Southampton and Blackburn Rovers, has been unable to secure a consistent place in Rangers’ starting lineup.
Sheffield United, led by Chris Wilder, are now believed to be in “pole position” to complete a deal for the 30-year-old, who appears set for a return to England’s second tier.
The Bramall Lane club are said to be “pushing” to finalise the transfer, and Rangers have already started lining up a replacement should the move materialise.
Attention Turns to Rising Norwegian Talent
Rangers’ recruitment team has been active in the build-up to the January window, and a potential replacement has emerged as a top target.
Tromsø midfielder Jens Hjertø-Dahl, a rapidly rising talent in Norwegian football, has become the primary name on Rangers’ shortlist.
Standing at 6ft 4in, the 20-year-old has already built an impressive résumé in Norway’s top division, amassing 87 senior appearances along with 12 goals and nine assists.
The midfielder has also represented Norway at under-21 level, where his physical presence, vision and ball-carrying ability have stood out.
Rangers scouts have watched him extensively throughout the season and have reportedly been impressed by his maturity and consistency.
Manager Danny Rohl views Hjertø-Dahl as a potential cornerstone of a new midfield structure that emphasises dynamism and vertical progression.
The German coach is targeting players capable of breaking lines, dominating physical duels and arriving late in the box — attributes Hjertø-Dahl has shown regularly in the Eliteserien.
Financial Dynamics and Expected Bids
Rothwell’s departure would free up both room and resources to make a meaningful push for the Norwegian prospect.
Hjertø-Dahl is understood to carry a valuation of around €5–6 million, making him an expensive but strategic investment for a club looking toward long-term squad development.
Tromsø have publicly expressed a desire to keep him, but privately there is recognition that interest across Europe is intensifying.
Sources in Norway suggest that at least two significant offers are likely to arrive once the January window opens, and the club has already begun preparing for the inevitability of losing their academy standout.
For Rangers, the combination of a potential Rothwell exit and their pursuit of Hjertø-Dahl signals a clear intention to modernise the midfield and reassert themselves in the Scottish title race.
