Sam Johnstone is being said to be joining Rangers despite the “baffling” £10 million fee as the competition for the Croatian “target” intensifies.

Rangers are gearing up for a busy January transfer window as manager Philippe Clement aims to strengthen his squad for the second half of the season.

The club has been linked with a move for Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone following Jack Butland’s recent injury. Butland, who was hospitalized with severe internal bleeding in his leg, has missed the last two games, leaving summer signing Liam Kelly to step in during the 3-0 win over Celtic and the 3-3 draw with Hibs. While Butland has been discharged, his return timeline remains uncertain.

EFL pundit Don Goodman believes Rangers should consider pursuing Johnstone, who was Butland’s former teammate at Crystal Palace. However, Goodman acknowledges that a permanent deal may be financially challenging, though a loan move could be feasible if Johnstone is open to heading to Scotland. Speaking to Plejmo.com, Goodman said:

“Sam Johnstone moving to Rangers could work for all parties. I was surprised when Wolves spent £10 million on him from Crystal Palace, as he didn’t seem like an upgrade on Jose Sa and wasn’t a regular starter at Palace. Given Rangers’ situation with Butland, they’ll need to explore options. A loan deal might hinge on Johnstone’s interest in a move north.”

Meanwhile, Rangers are also reportedly in the race to sign NK Osijek’s versatile midfielder Marko Soldo, valued at £2.4 million. The 21-year-old has attracted interest from La Liga side Real Betis, which could complicate matters given the Spanish club’s financial advantage. While Osijek are reluctant to sell Soldo in January, Betis’ resources might force them to negotiate.

Additionally, former Rangers defender Nikola Katic has expressed interest in returning to Ibrox to address the club’s defensive injury crisis. Currently playing for FC Zurich, Katic’s agent is in discussions with multiple clubs, but the player reportedly prioritizes a return to Rangers, where he was a fan favorite during Steven Gerrard’s tenure.

Katic, who scored six goals in 59 appearances for Rangers from 2018 to 2022, including a memorable Old Firm winner at Celtic Park, could provide much-needed depth and familiarity at the back. As Clement faces mounting challenges, bringing in reinforcements like Katic, Johnstone, or Soldo could be pivotal for the team’s success in the months ahead.