Noel Whelan has dropped a big transfer claim on Rangers target Danilho Doekhi after reports that Newcastle United and Fulham have joined the race for him.

Football Insider have reported that it would cost around £1.5m to sign the Netherlands U21 international in the upcoming summer window, and Whelan thinks that that kind of price could be a 'bargain'.

Speaking to Football Insider, the former Scottish Premiership striker claimed:

“When you are talking about a Dutch Under-21 international for less than £10million, it is a bargain.

“The way the transfer market is these days to get a player who has clearly got a lot of talent for less than £2million is truly bargain shopping. That is like going to the pound shop.

“If he is a player that Rangers want badly they would be very happy to pay that.

“If there are players who are available, and with the talent, for that price you are not risking anything. If it doesn’t work out you could probably sell him on for a similar fee and even if you couldn’t it is not a huge amount of money in the grand scheme of things.

“It makes it a lot harder when it is £15million. They would not be taking too much of a chance if they signed him.”     

Rangers should sign Doekhi

If he were to become available for as little as £1.5m, then Steven Gerrard's team should not think twice about securing the signature of Doekhi when the transfer market opens.

At 1.9m (6 foot 3), the big central defender should have no problems whatsoever in adapting to the physical and aerial demands of the SPFL, and could well be an asset to them in European competition as well.

Doekhi wins a mammoth 5.5 of his duels per match in the Eredivisie, in addition to averaging 3.1 clearances, two tackles and 1.7 interceptions a game (Sofascore) in what is certainly a competitive division with the likes of Ajax and PSV in it as well as his own club in Vitesse.

Nonetheless, the Ibrox faithful should be jumping at the opportunity to sign him, especially for the kind of price being thrown about.

In other news, find out why Gers fans are hailing James Bisgrove here!