Rangers are poised to seal a deal in the dying moments of the transfer window after beating rivals Celtic to a major signing.
Rangers are closing in on a headline-grabbing move in the final chaotic hours of the January 2026 transfer window, set to secure Southampton striker Cameron Archer in a deal that has seen them outpace arch-rivals Celtic.
With the Scottish Premiership title race intensifying under manager Danny Rohl, Rangers made strengthening their frontline a priority after running into roadblocks in pursuits of Hansa Rostock forward Ryan Naderi—whose £3m-plus bids were repeatedly knocked back—and Leeds United’s Joel Piroe, who chose to remain at Elland Road and battle for his place.
Archer, the 24-year-old England Under-21 international who joined Southampton from Aston Villa for £15m in 2024, quickly rose to the top of Rangers’ wishlist amid reports of restricted minutes at St Mary’s.
Sources indicate Rangers ramped up talks late on January 30, ironing out terms for a multi-million-pound permanent move, potentially including loan-to-buy clauses, ahead of Monday’s deadline.
The move has allowed Rangers to steal a march on any late Celtic interest in similar attacking options, with the Hoops turning their attention elsewhere and failing to match Rangers’ urgency or assertiveness in the market.
Archer arrives with established Premier League and Championship experience, the ability to operate through the middle or out wide, and a natural eye for goal—attributes Rohl has been keen to add alongside Youssef Chermiti and Bojan Miovski.
His addition injects top-level quality into Ibrox, boosting competition and depth for the run-in against Celtic, Hearts, and upcoming European fixtures. This late-window coup underlines Rangers’ ambition: turning down substantial offers for their own key players while committing serious funds to a statement signing.
Celtic fans are likely to feel the frustration of missing out, particularly as both Old Firm clubs scoured the market for attacking reinforcements amid deadline-day turmoil.
As the clock winds down, Rangers supporters can revel in a significant capture—Archer’s imminent unveiling promises excitement for the season’s climax and could swing the Premiership momentum firmly toward the Light Blues.