Football: Nigeria International Leon Balogun’s Future Unclear at Rangers
Balogun to Leave Ibrox Stadium This Summer?
Leon Balogun seems increasingly likely to depart Rangers this summer, with his current contract with the club set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season. With three games left in the Scottish Premiership, the Gers are set for another second-placed finish, currently 17 points behind champions Celtic.
Rangers have endured a difficult campaign, which saw them part ways with Belgian tactician Philippe Clement in mid-February, with former Ger and Scotland international Barry Ferguson brought in as his successor.
However, given the gap between the Glasgow giants this season, Rangers are expected to make several more changes in the offseason, and veteran defender Leon Balogun could be one of the players set to make way for new blood to be brought in.
The 36-year-old centre-back has had a mixed season for the Gers, featuring in 24 matches across all competitions and helping them take a point in the Old Firm Derby over the weekend, despite starting as massive outsiders according to all the best online betting sites.
However, the Nigerian international is now in the final two months of his contract at the Ibrox, and his future, by his own admission, is unclear. After suffering elimination in the Europa League quarter-final to Athletic Bilbao, Balogun revealed that the club had not discussed a new deal with him but also expressed his desire to remain in Glasgow:
“I’ve wanted that for ten years, to be a Rangers player since I stepped into the building. Everyone knows how much I love this club; I embrace everything it stands for. I’ve really taken it to heart, so if I can stay for another season, I’ll be glad.”
Balogun sustained a cheek fracture in the defeat at San Mames Barria in the Europa League quarter-final, which many expected would keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season, but he only ended up missing one match - an away trip to St. Mirren on April 26.
Players Who Could Leave Rangers This Season
With the summer transfer window closing in, the rumour mill has been red-hot with claims of potential incomings and outgoings at the Ibrox, with as many as six players potentially set to depart the club at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
In addition to Balogun, Romanian international Ianis Hagi will be a free agent in the coming months. Reports in recent weeks suggest that the club were keen to retain his services, but he had turned down a new contract extension.
Former Manchester United player Tom Lawrence is another whose future is looking increasingly likely to lie away from Glasgow. He has featured primarily as a substitute for the Gers this season and is believed to be on the radar of Turkish Super League outfit Besiktas.
Neraysho Kasanwirjo arrived on a season-long loan from Feyenoord at the start of the campaign, but sustained a season-ending injury after just 12 appearances and has returned to the Netherlands to undergo rehabilitation.
Finally, Rangers brought in Rafael Fernandes on loan with an option to buy clause amid an injury crisis during the January transfer window, but the 22-year-old defender has only featured three times since arriving and is likely to return to his parent club LOSC Lille at the end of the current campaign.
