Rangers are deep in talks for Tromso midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl, but the £7 million price tag Tromso is demanding for the 20-year-old Norwegian star is a massive sticking point, even with his clear desire to play at Ibrox. Positive discussions have already gone down with Hjerto-Dahl's reps, and the word from inside the camp is he chooses Glasgow if the money is right. Cardiff City wants him too, but c'mon, the allure of European nights at Ibrox and guaranteed first-team minutes? That gives the Scottish giants a huge edge. This whole thing needs a decision fast.
Jens Hjerto-Dahl's Game Is No Joke
Seriously, this kid is legit. The hype around Hjerto-Dahl is backed up by some serious production on the field. He has six goals and two assists in just 13 league appearances from central midfield this season. That tells you everything you need to know about his impact. This dude is an absolute unit, bringing exactly the kind of physical profile manager Derek McInnes loves in the engine room. He is averaging a 7.4 FotMob rating and playing almost every single minute for Tromso. Plus, he has two Young Player of the Month awards under his belt and made the CIES top-100 teenage list. With Nicolas Raskin looking destined for the exit door this summer, filling that void is priority number one for Rangers. A towering midfielder with his elegance, even drawing comparisons to Paul Pogba and Sergio Busquets back home, makes him an ideal option.The £7 Million Question Rangers Must Answer
The main sticking point, obviously, is the cash. Tromso is holding out for that £7 million. Rangers already tried a £5.3 million bid, and it got knocked back. Tromso sports director Lars Petter Kraemer-Andressen has gone on record saying the club expects a premium for their prize asset. With Hjerto-Dahl's contract running until 2027, Tromso is under zero pressure to sell him cheap. Here is the thing, Rangers have already spent heavily in this transfer window on guys like Ivor Pandur, Ross McCrorie, Dan Neil, and Ben Godfrey. Shelling out the full £7 million upfront right now feels reckless, especially when the player has already done the hard work by stating his preference for Ibrox. The smartest move is for Rangers to wait for the Raskin money to drop before making another move. McInnes needs to use Hjerto-Dahl's clear desire to join the club as leverage to negotiate a deal closer to £5.5 million to £6 million, with some performance-related add-ons. Overpaying just because Cardiff entered the room makes little sense, especially when there are other midfield targets on the radar. What is at stake is not just the cash, but setting a precedent for future transfers.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.