Exclusive: Rangers, Hibs and Hearts eye Jordan Holsgrove signing as low buy-out clause emerges
Rangers, Hibs and Hearts are eyeing moves for former Scotland Under-21 international Jordan Holsgrove who has been impressing in Portugal with Estoril, sources have told Football Insider.
Holsgrove, 25, is understood to have a low buy-out clause in his contract at Estoril and he could be on the move before the close of the transfer window.
The defensive midfielder and set-piece specialist is also a target for a number of clubs in Turkey as Estoril are fighting a fight to keep hold of him.
Holsgrove eyed for Scotland return as Estoril fight to keep him
Edinburgh-born Holsgrove comes from a family of footballers, and was born in the Scottish capital while his father, Paul, was playing for Hibernian between 1998 and 1999.
He began his professional career at Reading after working his way up their youth ranks, but never made a first-team appearance for the Royals, instead going out on loan to Spanish lower-league side Atlético Baleares before a move to Celta Vigo in 2020.
Holsgrove was initially placed in Celta’s reserve squad, and despite making five La Liga appearances in 2020/21, he was unable to make a full breakthrough into their first-team and so left to join Pacos De Ferreira in 2022.
A successful season in Portugal saw him move to Greek giants Olympiacos a year later, but he was immediately loaned out to Estoril and then joined the Primeira Liga outfit in a permanent deal last summer.
Holsgrove registered one goal and five assists in 28 league games last term to help Estoril to an eighth-placed finish in the Portuguese top-flight, and his impressive performances have now alerted the Scottish trio to his availability, with a low buy-out clause set to be activated.
Rangers face Hamza Igamane bidding war
With Holsgrove potentially on his way into Ibrox as a new signing soon, Russell Martin could also be busy trying to keep hold of one of his best players as the race for the Moroccan’s services heats up.
Football Insider revealed on Monday (4 August) that Rangers are ready for Everton and four other European sides to drive up Igamane’s price tag this summer.
Feyenoord, Rennes and Udinese are all keen on the 22-year-old and sources have told Football Insider that Rangers are hoping that an “auction” for his signature could bump his transfer fee up towards the £20m mark, albeit this will also hinge on their Champions League status.
Igamane bagged 12 goals in 33 league outings last season, while he scored four times in 10 Europa League appearances, and he would be a big miss if he was to leave Ibrox soon.