Rangers Striker Sam Lammers Faces Uncertain Future Amid Philippe Clement’s Revelations
The status of Rangers striker Sam Lammers has come under increased scrutiny following remarks by Philippe Clement over the weekend.
The 27-year-old Dutch striker, who arrived at Ibrox in a £3.5 million move from Atalanta last summer, struggled to make an impact in Glasgow and was eventually loaned out to FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie, where he scored 11 goals.
Lammers has been widely expected to return permanently to his native Netherlands. However, one reported suitor has now shifted focus elsewhere after sealing a £6.7 million deal in the Premier League, leaving Rangers pondering their options regarding the former PSV star.
Eredivisie club skip Lammers
FC Utrecht initially showed interest in bringing back Sam Lammers this summer, but negotiations faltered due to disagreements over Lammers’ high wage demands. Subsequently, Utrecht signed David Min from RKC Waalwijk and Noah Ohio from Standard Liege, closing the door on their pursuit of the Rangers striker.
AZ Alkmaar then emerged as potential suitors, buoyed by the £18 million sale of Vangelis Pavlidis to Benfica, which bolstered their transfer budget and created a vacancy in their squad. However, AZ has now redirected their efforts elsewhere.
AZ’s recent acquisition of Republic of Ireland striker Troy Parrott from Tottenham Hotspur, reportedly valued at €8 million (£6.7 million) with Spurs retaining a 20% sell-on clause, marks a significant move by the Dutch club and indicates their shift away from pursuing Lammers.
Rangers need to raise transfer funds
The uncertainty surrounding Sam Lammers’ future at Rangers has heightened concerns among fans and management alike. It’s evident that the player is eager to depart this summer, and Rangers are reportedly open to moving him on despite having expectations of recouping £2.5 million from his sale.
Lammers was notably absent from Rangers’ recent intensive training camp in the Netherlands, underscoring the ongoing rift. While the issue doesn’t seem to revolve around the transfer fee, Dutch journalists have labeled Lammers’ wage demands as prohibitive for Eredivisie clubs, complicating his potential return to his homeland.
Moreover, Rangers’ transfer plans have been stymied by the need to generate funds through player sales, a situation criticized by manager Philippe Clement, who expressed disappointment with the board’s handling of transfers since his arrival.
Essentially, Rangers find themselves burdened with a costly Dutch forward who desires a move away from Glasgow but presents financial challenges for potential suitors in the Netherlands. The club is now dependent on resolving Lammers’ situation to finance other essential business this summer, a task made more uncertain with his leading Dutch suitors now pursuing other options.