Vaclav Cerny Transfer: Rangers ‘Doubts’ Emerge After £25m Takeover Twist
Rangers’ reported pursuit of Dutch-based winger Vaclav Černý has been thrown into uncertainty following a dramatic twist in the club’s £25 million takeover developments. The Czech international had been identified as a key summer target by the Ibrox recruitment team, but the ongoing restructuring behind the scenes has cast fresh doubts over the viability of the deal.
Černý, currently with Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg, has impressed this season with his direct attacking play and creativity from wide areas. The 26-year-old has been on Rangers’ radar for months, with scouts reportedly attending several Wolfsburg fixtures to monitor his performances. His ability to operate on either wing and his growing experience on the European stage made him a prime candidate to bolster Rangers’ flanks for the 2025/26 campaign.
However, fresh questions surrounding the club’s financial strategy and sporting direction under the new ownership group have introduced complications. The club’s recent £25 million equity investment, aimed at modernising infrastructure and strengthening the squad, has shifted focus away from marquee signings toward more sustainable squad building. Sources close to the club have suggested that, while Černý remains of interest, the club’s recruitment model may now pivot toward younger, lower-cost options.
Insiders at Ibrox revealed that the new investors are keen to emphasize long-term development over immediate big-money moves. “There’s been a bit of a reset in terms of priorities,” one source told The Scotsman. “While someone like Černý fits the profile in terms of talent, the overall financials of the deal – wages, potential transfer fee, and bonuses – are being reconsidered.”
It is believed that Wolfsburg would be seeking around £6–8 million for the Czech winger, whose contract runs until 2027. With Rangers aiming to address several areas of the squad this summer, including central midfield and full-back, a high outlay on a single wide player may no longer align with the club’s evolving financial strategy.
This development follows the recent appointment of a new sporting director and head of recruitment, both of whom are believed to favor a data-driven approach to transfers. Černý, while an established name, may not fit the revised metrics-based model that emphasizes age, resale value, and injury history. The Czech star has also had past issues with fitness, something that reportedly raised red flags during internal discussions.
Adding to the uncertainty is the timing of the summer window, which coincides with a broader revamp of the squad. With multiple key players potentially departing – including Borna Barišić and John Lundstram – Rangers will be expected to conduct significant business across the board. The club’s budget will need to stretch across several new additions, and that may mean fewer resources allocated to high-profile targets like Černý.
For his part, the player is said to be open to a move to Scotland, having previously expressed interest in playing in British football. However, he is also attracting attention from clubs in France and the Netherlands, and any delay or hesitation from Rangers could see them miss out on his signature altogether.
Supporters, meanwhile, are growing increasingly curious about the direction of the club’s recruitment strategy. After several transfer windows of mixed success, many hoped the recent injection of funds would result in a more ambitious market approach. The potential cooling of interest in Černý may be seen as a sign of a more cautious outlook under the new leadership.
As things stand, a deal for Vaclav Černý is not completely off the table, but it is far from the certainty it once appeared to be. Much will depend on Rangers’ progress in finalizing their internal restructuring and clarifying their transfer priorities in the coming weeks.
