Scottish Premiership giants Rangers are reportedly hoping to sign Croatia international striker Mirko Maric in a £3m deal.
Osijek’s sporting director Alen Petrovic has warned Rangers that they are not alone in trying to sign prolific Mirko Maric this summer, speaking to the Daily Record.
The Daily Record broke the news this week that the Glasgow giants were eyeing a £3 million deal for the Croatian striker, who is the top scorer in his domestic league with 16 goals.
A 6ft 2ins centre-forward who has played twice for the Croatia national team, Maric has impressed Rangers’ recruitment chief Mark Allen on the back of his impressive performances this season. And the report suggests that he could be lined up to replace Alfredo Morelos, the firebrand Colombian who continues to be linked with a move away despite recently signing a new contract.
But Rangers will face competition from clubs all across the continent, according to Petrovic.
“There is interest in the player from many countries such as the UK, including England, Italy and Germany. Significant interest in the player is only to be expected when he is the top goalscorer in the league,” said the Osijek director.
“Any player of Mirko’s style would be a force in another country, but we don’t even know yet if we will sell him this summer or not.
“I can confirm he’s an excellent player, an elegant number nine who is as comfortable scoring goals as linking up the play around him.”
Maric has three years left on his contract, meaning Osijek are under no pressure to sell a player who resembles an old-school penalty box poacher. Interestingly, Rangers signed two players from Osijek in the last 12 months, bringing in left-back Borna Barisic and winger Eros Grezda.
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