Rangers Miss Out On €5m Defensive Target: Big Setback For McInnes?

Rangers Miss Out On €5m Defensive Target: Big Setback For McInnes? Rangers have been beaten to the signature of Zalaegerszeg starlet Akpe Victory. Swiss heavyweights FC Basel have secured a deal for the highly-rated defender after intensive negotiations, leaving the Ibrox recruitment team to lick their wounds. Rangers miss out as Basel snatch teenage powerhouse Akpe Victory Italian transfer specialist Rudy Galetti broke the news via X on 3 July, as relayed via The Scotsman , reporting that the Swiss Super League side successfully bridged the valuation gap with the Hungarian club. Further confirmation from Nemzeti Sport indicates the move is already dynamic; the 19-year-old centre-back has said his goodbyes in Hungary and boarded a flight to Switzerland to finalise the switch. This swift development shatters a host of European transfer plans. A queue of clubs had been tracking the 6ft 5in Nigerian defender, including Benfica, Strasbourg, and Kilmarnock, where Derek McInnes was keen to lure the powerhouse to the Scottish Premiership. Zalaegerszeg held firm on a €5million valuation. It was a hefty price tag, but Basel managed to structure a financial package that satisfied the Hungarian outfit. For Rangers, it represents a significant blow during a crucial summer squad rebuild. Tactical headache for McInnes as Ibrox searches for alternatives GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MAY 10: Mikey Moore of Rangers celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on May 10, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) Losing out on Victory stings because his profile fits the physical demands of Scottish football perfectly. He is a massive frame at 1.95 meters, comfortable winning aerial duels, yet surprisingly composed when playing out from the back. He moved to Hungary from the Lithuanian side of Banga Gargzdai in the winter window and adapted instantly. Over 13 appearances and 876 minutes in the Hungarian top flight, he proved his worth, even netting against Diosgyori VTK and adding an assist to his name. That rare combination of raw recovery pace and progressive passing is exactly what Derek McInnes craves for a disciplined defensive backline. Rangers will struggle to replace that specific skillset under their current financial constraints. Forking out anywhere near €5million for an unpolished teenager was always going to be a massive gamble for a Scottish club anyway. Overpaying would have wrecked the budget needed for general squad depth. The recruitment team must now pivot immediately toward cheaper markets in Scandinavia or explore the English Premier League loan market to find that necessary muscle.