Rangers were always going to struggle to sign one of Europe’s most promising young players, given how far he has come in such a short period of time.
A struggle that might pit Philippe Clement’s team against La Liga powerhouses Real Betis before the end of the month.
Meanwhile, the winner’s prize may be a player who puts the ‘complete’ in ‘complete midfielder’.
Marko Soldo was a defensive-minded operator until lately. A player whose primary responsibility was to prevent goals from being scored at the opposing end. However, since moving from Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb to NK Osijek, his role has shifted.
A change in position has transformed many careers over the years. Take, for example, Gareth Bale’s transformation from a left-back to a marauding left-winger. Not so long ago, Declan Rice was playing at centre-half and Vincent Kompany was patrolling the midfield.
To his eternal credit, Osijek coach Federico Coppitelli believed that Soldo’s abilities were being wasted at the number six position. Coppitelli has been rewarded for moving him forward into a number eight or ten position with six goals and four assists from a player who is producing career-best stats in a previously unfamiliar region of the pitch.
RangersNews was exclusively informed in December that Rangers are interested in bringing Marko Soldo to Glasgow. While former Dinamo president Zdravko Mamic believes the Croatia Under-21 international should be for at least £12 million, which is comparable to the sums Luka Modric and his teammates departed their homeland for, Osijek is said to be willing to accept a bargain £2.5 million.
According to 24Sata, the value of Real Betis’ interest in that transfer fee will be determined by time.
Rangers face Real Betis in the hunt for Osijek star Marko Soldo.
The potential of a bidding battle can only increase Soldo’s worth, yet Betis’ financial problems mean Rangers should not be dismissed as outsiders simply because Scottish football lacks the glamour of La Liga.
Real Betis borrowed 125 million euros from Goldman Sachs in September to help them pay off their debts. Last summer, Los Verdiblancos were also forced to sell a number of key players, including Nabil Fekir, German Pezzella, Ayoze Perez, Chadi Riad, and former Spain Under-21 starlet Rodri.
At Ibrox, the extent of Rangers’ transfer budget is yet to be revealed. Soldo is unlikely to demand a bank-breaking sum, even if Betis throws a wrench in the works.
The 21-year-old’s versatility is likely to appeal to Clement, a manager who values flexible, versatile players, with Soldo capable of competing not just with Mo Diomande and Nico Raskin, but also with Nedim Bajrami and Ianis Hagi in the future.
Marko Soldo is ‘very powerful’ and scored goals from midfield.
“The number six has been my primary position since I was younger,” Soldo recently stated. “But I used to play as an offensive midfielder back then, so the job was not unfamiliar to me. In Osijek, I frequently play as the number eight. Sometimes I reach the tenth position.
“I have no trouble responding to the coach’s requests in order to achieve a successful outcome. And being close to the opponent’s goal suits me. “I have more opportunities to assist and score.”
“He can be in charge of defensive stability, for creation, or to have the role of a box-to-box midfielder, who is powerful in running, attacks the space in the attacking phase,” according to Germanijak, a Croatian publication.
“Soldo is a modern midfielder who can be found all over the pitch and definitely excels in places that are not his natural fit. And that speaks volumes about his temperament and adaptability.
“He is also extremely powerful and versatile physically.”
