Rangers are ramping up their squad this summer with a series of strategic signings, the latest being a near-agreement to bring Sheffield Wednesday winger Djeidi Gassama to Ibrox. The 21-year-old French international has reportedly agreed personal terms with the Scottish giants, setting the stage for a significant transfer that could reshape both clubs' fortunes.
Gassama’s journey to this point has been marked by steady progression and promise. Originally a youth prospect at Paris Saint-Germain, he made his senior debut for the Ligue 1 powerhouse during the 2021-22 season and earned a winners' medal. After a loan spell at Belgian side Eupen in 2022-23, he transferred to Sheffield Wednesday for around €1 million in the summer of 2023. Since then, he has become a key figure for the Owls, featuring in 84 matches and contributing 16 goal involvements, including 8 goals in the 2024-25 season alone.
Despite his evident talent and being a fan favorite at Hillsborough, financial uncertainty at Sheffield Wednesday has cast a shadow over his tenure. The Championship club, grappling with cash flow issues and delayed player payments, find themselves forced to sell valuable assets, and Gassama is the latest casualty. According to Football League World’s Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit Patrick McKenna, this sale represents a missed opportunity. He believes Gassama's potential value could have been around £10 million, far exceeding the reported £2.5 million transfer fee to Rangers. McKenna criticized club owner Dejphon Chansiri’s negotiation approach, doubting that a sell-on clause was secured, and lamented the club’s deteriorating financial and sporting position.
McKenna elaborated, “If you were to look at the potential he has shown last season and the prices in today’s market, there was a real opportunity for him to finally be a player we sold for a substantial amount of money where we could say we brought a player in, improve him and sold him for profit. Because that is one of the many revenue streams we have missed out on under Chansiri.”
Sheffield Wednesday’s manager Danny Rohl also expressed confidence in Gassama’s abilities, highlighting the winger’s adaptability and attacking mindset. “He had a big opportunity in the first half with the transition, and we spoke before about ball positions. We spoke to the young players about coming in and showing what they can do, and he’s doing so step by step. He was fantastic in training, and that’s the reason why we took him. It’s not just about defending, we want to attack and play forward. And this is the reason why I put him in.”
For Rangers, the acquisition of Gassama fits into a broader summer strategy under new manager Russell Martin, who has already overseen seven signings, including Lyall Cameron, Max Aarons, Joe Rothwell, Emmanuel Fernandez, Thelo Aasgaard, Oscar Cortes, and Nasser Djiga on loan. The club is clearly intent on rebuilding and strengthening its squad to close the gap with Scottish Premiership rivals Celtic.
Gassama is seen as an economic and tactical alternative to other winger targets like Crystal Palace’s Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, whose £10 million price tag has proven a stumbling block. Rangers’ pursuit of Gassama, who is versatile across the frontline, aligns with Martin’s vision to inject pace and creativity into the team. The Frenchman is expected to sign a long-term deal at Ibrox, marking his first foray into Scottish football.
Adding to their attacking options, Rangers have also made contact with Wolfsberger AC over winger Thierno Ballo, a rapid Austria international who netted 10 goals and provided 6 assists in 31 appearances last season. While talks continue with Ballo’s club and other suitors like Ajax and Mainz, Rangers are clearly intent on bolstering their wide areas.
Meanwhile, Rangers have been linked with other players, including former Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy and Como winger Alieu Fadera, indicating a clear intent to revamp their offensive options comprehensively. The club’s new ownership group, including 49ers Enterprises, has demonstrated a willingness to back Martin’s transfer plans financially.
Back at Sheffield Wednesday, the loss of Gassama is a worrying sign of the club’s struggles. The team finished 12th in the Championship last season, missing out on playoff contention by 10 points. The financial instability and potential further player departures have cast doubt on the club’s ability to build on the progress made under Rohl. Fans face a challenging campaign ahead as the club prepares to start the new season with an away fixture against Leicester City on August 10.
Gassama’s move to Rangers not only signals a fresh chapter in his career but also highlights the contrasting trajectories of the two clubs. While Rangers are aggressively strengthening to reclaim domestic dominance and make an impact in Europe, Sheffield Wednesday wrestle with financial survival and squad depletion.
As negotiations finalize, all eyes will be on how Gassama adapts to Scottish football and whether he can fulfill the potential that so many see in him. For Rangers, the signing represents a calculated gamble on youth and talent, a move that could pay dividends if Martin’s guidance helps Gassama flourish on a bigger stage.
The transfer saga also underscores the broader challenges in football’s financial landscape, where clubs like Sheffield Wednesday are forced to sell prized assets to stay afloat, while ambitious clubs like Rangers capitalize to strengthen their ranks.
With the summer window still open, Rangers continue to pursue additional reinforcements, aiming to field a competitive squad ready to challenge on multiple fronts. The arrival of Gassama, alongside other signings, signals their intent to build a dynamic, youthful team capable of exciting football and sustained success.
As the new season approaches, supporters of both clubs will watch closely. For Sheffield Wednesday, it’s a test of resilience amid adversity. For Rangers, it’s an opportunity to harness fresh talent and ambition to climb back to the summit of Scottish football.
