Rangers look to be on the brink of completing a £4 million deal for Danish midfielder Tochi Chukwuani, and this one feels like it could be a key signing for how Danny Rohl wants his team to play.
There is still no official announcement, but Sturm Graz have already confirmed there is a verbal agreement in place. Their sporting director Michael Parensen has made it clear the deal is close, even if nothing will be announced until every document is signed.
If and when that confirmation arrives, Rangers will be adding a player they have badly needed for some time.
Why Rangers Need This Type of Player
For too long, Rangers have lacked a true controlling number six.
Nicolas Raskin often wants to play that role, but the reality is he is far more effective when allowed to move box to box. When he is free to push on, he becomes a real threat in the attacking third, arriving late in the box and driving the team forward. Asking him to sit all the time limits his best qualities.
On top of that, Connor Barron’s injury has made the problem even worse. The length of his absence, which could stretch into March or even April, has left Rangers short in the middle of the park at exactly the wrong time in the season.
Then there is the situation with Joe Rothwell and Kieran Dowell. Rothwell is clearly out of the picture and looks likely to move on in this window. Dowell is also out of favour and many fans will hope he follows him out the door. That is a lot of midfield depth disappearing, whether by injury or by design.
All of this explains why a controlling midfielder has become a priority.
Who Is Tochi Chukwuani?
Chukwuani is 22 and has been playing his football with Sturm Graz, where he has built a reputation as the man who keeps things ticking in midfield.
He previously played in Denmark and has spoken openly about what kind of player he is. He describes his biggest strength as ball control, and sees himself as someone who can contribute both defensively and offensively. In Denmark, he showed more of his attacking side, but at Sturm Graz he has grown into a deeper, more controlling role.
He has also been clear that he wants to keep improving, especially technically, and believes he has not yet reached his full potential. That kind of mindset fits well with what Rangers should be looking for.
Sturm Graz have already confirmed that Rangers are close to sealing the deal, with a verbal agreement in place. They are even planning for life after him, which tells its own story about how advanced this move really is.
What He Could Bring to Rangers
This is not about signing another box to box runner. It is about finally giving Rangers someone who knows when to slow the game down and when to speed it up.
Chukwuani has been the controlling player in midfield for Sturm Graz. He sits in front of the defence, offers protection to the back line, and gives his team a platform to build from. He reads the game, recycles possession, and keeps things simple when they need to be simple.
That could free others around him. Raskin could play higher and influence games in the attacking third. More creative players would have a solid base behind them. Defenders would have better protection in front of them, something Rangers have often lacked when games become stretched.
With Barron injured and options disappearing, this feels less like a luxury signing and more like a necessity.
A Signing That Fits the Moment
Rangers’ form has turned their season around. From a shocking start, they have become genuine title contenders again. That changes the type of signing you make. You are no longer just planning for next season, you are strengthening for a title race right now.
Chukwuani feels like a player who fits both aims. At 22, he is young enough to develop and grow with the team. But he is also experienced enough in his role to come in and give Rangers something they do not currently have.
If this deal goes over the line, it will not be about hype or headlines. It will be about balance, control, and finally giving the midfield the structure it has been crying out for.
When the announcement comes, Rangers fans should see Tochi Chukwuani not as just another signing, but as a piece that could make everything around him work better.
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