Rangers Transfer State of Play: Röhl Targets Final Pieces as Dan Neil Clue Emerges
The final fortnight of the January 2026 transfer window is shaping up to be a transformative period for Rangers. Under the clinical leadership of Danny Röhl, the Ibrox side has already secured three major additions, but the “state of play” remains fluid. As of today, January 20, 2026, the club is aggressively pursuing two more key positions while preparing to facilitate a significant clearing of the decks.
The headline news centers on Sunderland’s Dan Neil, whose situation at the Stadium of Light has provided the clearest indication yet that a move to Glasgow is on the horizon.
The Dan Neil Clue: From Captain to “Misfit”
Dan Neil, the 24-year-old local hero who captained Sunderland to Premier League promotion just last season, has found life in the top flight unexpectedly difficult. Since the arrival of Granit Xhaka in the Black Cats’ engine room, Neil’s minutes have plummeted, with the midfielder featuring in just four matches this term.
The “clue” that has alerted the Rangers hierarchy is Neil’s expiring contract; he is set to become a free agent in June. Following his exclusion from the starting lineup during Sunderland’s recent FA Cup clash, former Black Cats star Lee Cattermole noted that the player “needs to be playing football.” Rangers are reportedly looking to capitalize on this unrest with a permanent, cut-price deal that would see Neil move north of the border this week.
The Midfield Crisis: Why Neil is Non-Negotiable
The urgency behind the Dan Neil pursuit has been heightened by the devastating news surrounding Connor Barron. Röhl confirmed that the young Scotland international suffered a serious knee ligament injury during the 2-0 win over Aberdeen. Barron is expected to be sidelined for 8 to 12 weeks, potentially ruling him out until April.
Röhl had initially wanted a “physical engine room” presence to complement Nico Raskin, but Barron’s injury has turned a desire into a necessity. Neil’s tenacity and leadership are seen as the perfect fit to maintain Rangers’ title momentum, where they currently sit just six points behind league-leaders Hearts with a game in hand.
Targeted Positions: The Final Third and a Wing Wizard
Beyond the midfield, Rangers are hunting for one more offensive weapon. The primary target is Damir Redzic, the 22-year-old Hungarian winger currently lighting up the Slovakian league with DAC Dunajská Streda. Redzic has bagged 7 goals in 14 games this season, and his manager recently admitted the club would be “powerless” to stop him from joining a giant like Rangers if the £3.4m valuation is met.
While Andreas Skov Olsen has already arrived on loan from Wolfsburg, Röhl is keen on Redzic to provide a different profile on the right flank, especially with Rabbi Matondo among those deemed surplus to requirements.
The “Bomb Squad” Exits: 5 on the Move
To fund this final push, Rangers have identified five players who are free to leave Ibrox before the February 2 deadline:
- Kieran Dowell: The Englishman has endured a “nightmare” spell and is heavily linked with a return to the Championship, with Hull City and Leicester City leading the chase.
- Nedim Bajrami: Despite a high-profile arrival, the Albanian international hasn’t fit into Röhl’s high-pressing system and is expected to return to Italy.
- Danilo: The Brazilian forward has been officially transfer-listed as the club looks to recoup some of his significant transfer fee.
- Clinton Nsiala: The young defender is likely to head out on a permanent basis or a loan with an obligation to buy.
- Rabbi Matondo: After early excitement faded, Matondo is now considered an “expensive fringe player” that the club is desperate to move off the wage bill.
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| Confirmed Ins | Tuur Rommens, Tochi Chukwuani, Andreas Skov Olsen |
| Primary Targets | Dan Neil (Sunderland), Damir Redzic (DAC) |
| Confirmed Outs | Oscar Cortes, Lyall Cameron (Loans) |
| On the Market | Danilo, Dowell, Bajrami, Matondo, Nsiala |
The next few days will be critical. If Rangers can finalize the Neil and Redzic deals while successfully offloading their high earners, Danny Röhl will have a squad perfectly molded in his image for the title run-in.