NafisaRangers have wasted no time reacting to their disappointing Europa League defeat to Jagiellonia Bialystok, with Derek McInnes determined to strengthen his attacking options after another frustrating display in the final third.
The Light Blues were beaten 2-1 in Poland despite taking an early lead, and the performance has only intensified the club’s search for a game-changing winger before the transfer window closes.
According to reports, Rangers have now submitted an official bid worth around £6.4 million for PSV Eindhoven winger Couhaib Driouech, underlining McInnes’ determination to inject more pace, creativity and quality into his frontline.
The move also comes after another underwhelming performance from Rangers’ current left-sided attacking options in Poland, with the manager reportedly eager to add a winger capable of making an immediate impact in the biggest matches.
PSV are understood to be open to selling the 24-year-old Moroccan international this summer, although Rangers’ opening offer has yet to be accepted.
The Ibrox club are now waiting to discover whether the Dutch side are prepared to negotiate, with the Scottish giants making it clear they view Driouech as one of their priority targets.
However, agreeing a fee with PSV is only one part of the process.
According to Eindhovens Dagblad, Rangers have not yet reached a personal agreement with Driouech himself, meaning further negotiations will be required even if the Eredivisie side decide to accept the £6.4m proposal.
The report adds that Rangers’ offer is already close to PSV’s valuation, increasing hopes that a compromise could eventually be reached.
McInnes’ urgency is easy to understand.
Against Jagiellonia, Rangers created several promising situations after falling behind but lacked the cutting edge needed to turn pressure into goals.
While summer signing Daisuke Yokota endured a quiet competitive debut after arriving from Hannover, teenager Findlay Curtis impressed supporters after coming off the bench and was widely viewed as Rangers’ brightest attacking performer during the second half.
Even so, McInnes is clearly looking for another proven match-winner capable of delivering consistently at both domestic and European level.
Driouech’s performances for PSV, particularly in European competition, have demonstrated exactly the type of quality Rangers believe can transform their attack.
Although his time in Eindhoven has included periods of inconsistency, the Moroccan has repeatedly shown his ability to produce moments of brilliance against elite opposition.
That profile makes him an attractive option as Rangers look to recover from their difficult start to the new campaign.
The coming days are expected to be crucial.
With Rangers facing the huge task of overturning their Europa League deficit at Ibrox next week, supporters are desperate to see further reinforcements arrive quickly.
Whether PSV accept Rangers’ proposal remains to be seen, but one thing is becoming increasingly clear.
McInnes wants more firepower, Rangers are prepared to spend to get it, and Couhaib Driouech has now emerged as one of the club’s biggest transfer priorities before the window slams shut.
Nafisa
