Why Rangers Rejected the January Offer for Djeidi Gassama — Keith Wyness Explains
In a surprising twist during the January transfer window, Rangers turned down a concrete offer for winger Djeidi Gassama, and former football executive Keith Wyness has shed light on the reasoning behind that decision. Speaking on the Football Insider Inside Track podcast, Wyness—who boasts leadership experience at clubs including Everton, Aston Villa and Aberdeen—offered insights into why Rangers were willing to keep hold of the French forward despite interest from abroad. (Football Insider)
Gassama, 22, joined Rangers in the summer of 2025 from Sheffield Wednesday on a long-term deal that runs until 2029. (Wikipedia) Despite an underwhelming first half of the season in terms of end product, his potential and contributions off the bench have kept him in the mix for manager Danny Rohl. (transferfeed.com)
According to Wyness, Rangers were approached with a loan proposal from Monaco in January, which included an option — reportedly priced around £10 million — to buy at the end of the season. (Football Insider) However, Rangers opted to reject that approach. Wyness highlighted that such a move was somewhat “unusual” for the club, particularly in the midst of an intensely fought title race in the Scottish Premiership. (Football Insider)
Rangers’ Position in the Title Race
A big factor in the decision, according to Wyness, was the team’s competitive situation. Rangers are engaged in a tight battle at the top of the league, chasing leaders Hearts, and Rohl — supported by the board with relative autonomy — wanted to keep as many first-team options available as possible. (Football Insider) Releasing Gassama, even on a temporary basis, might have weakened squad depth during a crucial phase of the campaign, and Wyness believes Rohl’s firm stance shows the trust the club has placed in its young players. (Football Insider)
Wyness stressed that in many clubs January is a time to offload players who aren’t central to a manager’s plans, especially to balance books or reinvest. But at Rangers, they were willing to “turn down some money,” a sign of their belief in Gassama’s long-term value or the manager’s desire to retain options. (Football Insider)
Potential Value and Future Opportunities
Another part of the calculus appears to be financial and developmental. Gassama only cost Rangers around €2.4 million when he joined, and his value has since increased according to transfer market estimates. (transferfeed.com) Wyness suggested the £10 million figure could be matched or even exceeded during the summer transfer window, when Rangers would be in a stronger negotiating position and less pressured by the mid-season dynamic. (Football Insider)
This sentiment aligns with the broader strategic thinking at Ibrox, where the club also rejected a January bid for striker Youssef Chermiti, believing his value may rise with a strong second half of the season. (Football Insider)
Mixed Views on the Decision
While Rangers saw keeping Gassama as beneficial, not everyone agrees. Some observers have questioned whether turning down what could be a substantial fee for a player who hasn’t consistently delivered in Scotland was wise — particularly given his patchy form and the club’s need to balance investment and performance. (Ibrox News)
Nonetheless, Wyness’s comments paint a picture of a club confident in its squad and willing to back its manager’s judgment, even at the cost of passing up immediate transfer revenue. (Football Insider)
If you’d like, I can also break down how Gassama’s performance this season compares statistically to last or explain how this decision might affect Rangers’ summer transfer strategy.
