Rangers are pushing ahead with a loan move for AEK Athens star James Penrice – and are still exploring a deal to bring Wrexham’s Josh Windass back to Ibrox.
Penrice left Hearts last summer to join the Greek giants for a fee of around £2million.
Rangers had previously been confident of having a deal in place to sign the 27-year-old left-back, only for it it to be called off when they appointed Russell Martin as manager last June.
However, with the addition of a new left-back a priority in the January window, they have now made fresh enquiries about the Scot’s availability.
Rangers have had to rely predominantly on Brentford loanee Jayden Meghoma on the left side of defence for much of this season, having allowed Jefte and Ridvan Yilmaz to leave last summer without sourcing adequate replacements.
Now former Livingston and Partick Thistle player Penrice could solve a major problem if they are successful in luring him back home from Greece.
Young left back James Penrice during his days with Hearts, but he is now a loan target for Rangers
Rangers haven’t given up on a move for former Ibrox player Josh Windass, now with Wrexham
The Ibrox club are also not giving up on their efforts to re-sign Windass, despite seeing an initial loan bid booted out by his club Wrexham last week.
It’s understood that the Welsh side have no intention of allowing the 31-year-old attacking midfielder to leave on a temporary deal unless they are also paid a loan fee.
For any permanent move to come to fruition, Rangers would first of all have to reduce their current wage bill in order to get anywhere near the money Windass is on with the English Championship outfit.
Daily Mail Sport understands that Rangers would be open to offers for Danilo, the Brazilian striker who has been on big money since a £6million move from Feyenoord in 2023 but has failed to convince.
Rangers boss Danny Rohl worked with Windass when the pair were together at Sheffield Wednesday.
They forged a good relationship and it is understood that both parties would be keen on a reunion if a deal can be struck.
Rohl remains a big admirer of the Englishman, who spent two years at Rangers between 2016 and 2018 after being signed by Mark Warburton.
Rangers boss Danny Rohl is looking to boost his options during the transfer window
Windass was left out of Wrexham’s squad for their 2-0 victory at Blackburn Rovers on Thursday as he recovers from a slight knock.
Asked about potential transfer activity in January, Rangers manager Rohl said earlier this week: ‘I think we know the window is not easy, but we are on the front foot. What it means at the end, let’s see.
‘We cannot influence everything, but we are at the moment clear. We know that, in some positions, we have to wait for the right timing. I see that we are really convinced of what we want to do.’
