Rangers and Celtic have suffered a major transfer setback after highly-rated BK Hacken midfielder Silas Andersen opted for a move to Sporting Lisbon.
Both Glasgow giants had been tracking the 21-year-old Danish youth international for months, with interest dating back to the January window. However, any hopes of bringing him to Scotland are now over.
According to Scandinavian outlet Tipsbladet, Hacken have agreed a deal worth an initial £6.4 million with the Portuguese side, with a further £2.5 million in add-ons. Andersen is expected to travel to Lisbon on Saturday to complete a medical before signing a five-year contract with the Champions League quarter-finalists.
The news will come as a particular blow to Rangers, who had identified the defensive midfielder as a key target to strengthen their engine room. It’s understood the Ibrox club were alerted to Andersen by Norwegian advisor Stig Inge Bjornebye.
Read more
-
Rangers tease 2026/27 away strip, as wait goes on for home kit unveiling
-
Rangers summer transfers must be 'worthy of the jersey' insists Ibrox legend
-
49ers kingpin provides Rangers clarification after sudden boardroom exit
Hacken sporting director Erik Friberg had recently hinted at a potential departure, admitting: “We will sell someone. I can’t promise that Silas will stay. Nothing is clear yet.”
Sporting had first lodged a bid of around £6 million earlier this month, and after further negotiations, a full agreement has now been reached. The Swedish club have also secured a sell-on clause, ensuring they will benefit from any future transfer.
Andersen’s agent, Niclas Jensen, previously revealed that interest from “big clubs” in Portugal and Germany had left the player with several attractive options, and it now appears Lisbon has won the race.
Rangers, who were already facing stiff competition, must now turn their attention to alternative midfield targets as they look to reshape their squad this summer.
