NafisaRangers have been determined not to allow another major attacking target to slip through their fingers this summer.
After a difficult beginning to the new campaign, Derek McInnes has made it increasingly clear that his squad still needs more quality, particularly in the wide areas.
The Ibrox hierarchy have already invested heavily in reshaping the team, but the early performances have underlined the importance of adding players capable of making a difference when Rangers need inspiration.
That has seen the club return to the transfer market with renewed urgency.
One player who has remained firmly on their radar is PSV winger Couhaib Driouech.
The Moroccan has attracted attention from outside Scotland, with Spanish opposition emerging as a serious threat to Rangers’ plans.
For a period, it looked as though the Gers could be beaten to his signature.
But Rangers refused to walk away.
And their persistence now appears to have paid off.
Rangers fight off Celta Vigo competition
Driouech’s situation became particularly interesting after Celta Vigo entered the race.
The La Liga club were regarded as a genuine threat to Rangers and, at one stage, the Spanish side appeared to hold a significant advantage.
Driouech was reportedly attracted to the possibility of moving to Spain, with La Liga considered a strong fit for his technical qualities and long-term ambitions.
That could have left Rangers facing another frustrating transfer setback.
Instead, the Gers went back to PSV.
Their initial proposal was understood to be worth around €7.5m, but PSV rejected that offer and maintained a valuation in the region of €8m to €8.5m.
Rangers were therefore faced with a relatively straightforward choice: increase their offer or risk watching another club take advantage of the situation.
They chose the former.
Rangers agree €8.5m deal for Driouech
According to Dutch outlet SoccerNews, Rangers have now reached an agreement in principle with PSV over a deal for Driouech.
The improved proposal is understood to be worth approximately €8.5m (£7.3m).
That figure is believed to have satisfied PSV’s demands and represents a major breakthrough for McInnes.
The agreement means Rangers have seemingly managed to get ahead of Celta Vigo and convince the Dutch club to accept their proposal.
More importantly, the player is also understood to have agreed terms in principle with the Ibrox side.
However, supporters will have to wait slightly longer before celebrating an officially completed transfer.
A medical still needs to be undertaken and the final contractual formalities must be concluded.
Subject to those final stages going smoothly, Driouech is expected to sign a multi-year contract with Rangers.
Why Driouech could be a game-changer for Rangers
The urgency behind the move is understandable when looking at Rangers’ start to the season.
McInnes’ side have taken just one point from their opening two Scottish Premiership matches, drawing with Dundee United before suffering a 2-1 defeat to Hibernian at Ibrox.
The performances have exposed areas where Rangers still need improvement.
In particular, there has been a lack of consistent creativity and unpredictability in the attacking areas.
That is where Driouech could make an immediate difference.
The 24-year-old joined PSV from Excelsior in 2024 and has since made 61 appearances for the Dutch club across all competitions.
He has scored 12 goals and provided 10 assists during that period.
Those figures demonstrate that he is not simply a player being signed for potential.
Driouech has already demonstrated an ability to contribute goals and assists at a high level, while his technical qualities make him capable of operating in situations where Rangers need someone to unlock a stubborn defence.
For a Rangers team searching for greater attacking threat, that could prove extremely valuable.
Rangers refuse to panic after difficult start
McInnes has already overseen a substantial rebuild since taking charge.
The Rangers squad looks considerably different from the one inherited by the manager, with several new arrivals brought in to improve competition throughout the team.
But the manager knows the work is not finished.
The opening results have only strengthened the argument for further additions, rather than convincing the club to slow down their recruitment.
Driouech would give McInnes another genuine attacking option and could also reduce the burden on the other wide players already at Ibrox.
His arrival would be particularly significant given Rangers’ desire to challenge Celtic and Hearts at the top end of the Premiership.
Rangers also looked at Fares Ghedjemis
The Gers have explored other possibilities in their search for attacking reinforcements.
Fares Ghedjemis has been another winger linked with a move to Glasgow after an impressive season with Frosinone.
The Algerian scored 15 goals in 37 appearances last season as Frosinone secured promotion to Serie A.
However, Rangers reportedly encountered a major stumbling block over his valuation.
Offers in the region of €10m were said to have been rejected, with Frosinone reportedly demanding as much as €20m for their attacker.
That has made the potential Driouech deal even more attractive.
Rather than stretching their finances to meet an enormous asking price, Rangers appear to have found a player they value highly while negotiating a significantly lower fee.
One final hurdle remains
The reported agreement represents a huge step forward, but Rangers cannot officially call Driouech their player just yet.
The medical remains to be completed, with final contractual details also requiring attention.
Nevertheless, the biggest obstacles appear to have been overcome.
Rangers have reportedly agreed the fee with PSV, while Driouech is understood to have given his approval to the move.
That means McInnes could soon have another major attacking weapon at his disposal.
Perhaps most importantly, Rangers have seemingly managed to overcome the threat of Celta Vigo after the Spanish side looked capable of winning the race.
The Gers have had to fight for this one.
They increased their offer, continued negotiations and convinced the player that Glasgow could be the right destination for his next chapter.
If the medical and paperwork go according to plan, Driouech will soon be heading to Ibrox in a deal worth around €8.5m.
For McInnes, it could be one of the most important pieces of business of the summer.
Nafisa
