RANGERS may have been scouring the ever-widening market in top players this summer, but the Ibrox pool has been just as closely examined by fellow buyers, to the extent that Ajax, beaten finalists in the Champions' Cup last season, wanted them to part with Brian Laudrup.
The Danish forward, who has been an outstanding success since he arrived at Ibrox just more than two years ago in a #2.3m move from Fiorentina, has not only impressed the domestic market, but his performances in Euro96 for the Danish international side have convinced foreign investors that he would be well worth prising from the Scottish champions.
However, there was never much chance of Rangers chairman David Murray agreeing to the transfer of one of his most prized assets, perhaps the most treasured. The Dutch club was told in clear terms that the Danish player was not available.
Ajax, whose vulnerability in the post-Bosman era has resulted in the reduction of their first-team squad to 18 players after raids on their talent by Italian and Spanish clubs, had cut their original short leet of wanted men to two, Laudrup and striker Anderson da Silva of Monaco.
``Neither deal worked out,'' says their manager, Louis van Gaal, ``because the clubs don't want to sell. They are two quality players but maybe we will find others. I like to work with a small pool but 18 is too limiting and we will need to increase our strength.''
Ironically, his revised shopping list is headed by the man who seemed to be coming to Rangers earlier this year, Brazilian striker Jardel, whose deal with the Ibrox club fell through after visa problems. Ajax also are interested in another Brazilian striker, 22-year-old Savio, of Flamengo.
The Dutch champions, whose defeat by Juventus in the Champions' Cup final ended a fine run of success which had included a defeat of AC Milan in the final of 1995, are due to move to their magnificent new stadium this season - they meet Milan in the official opening game next month - and, despite the disappointment of the Champions' Cup, the local fans are confident that, when the manager replaces the stars who have gone, they again will be formidable.
Edgar Davids, who left Euro96 in some ignominy, and Michael Reiziger have gone to Milan in a #7.2m double deal, Finidi George got fed up waiting for Real Madrid to meet Ajax's fee and joined Real Betis instead for #3.2m, and Kanu has joined Inter-Milan while a tribunal sort out a contractual wrangle.
One man still in place is Patrick Kluivert, scorer of Holland's goal against England that ended Scotland's hopes in Euro96, but he is only seeing out his final year of contract. Astonishingly, Kluivert earns only #32,000 a year, a deal agreed as a juvenile in the club, and has refused all attempts to give him a new contract. He knows what golden jackpots await elswhere at the end of next season.
Even Van Gaal seems certain to be moving on after one more season, with the rumour persisting that he has been asked to succeed Bobby Robson at Barcelona.
q Ball at Dailly's feet
- Page 35
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