Rangers manager Philippe Clement has pointed out the financial advantage of Benfica over Rangers in the upcoming Europa League Round of 16 clash. With Benfica’s superior transfer budget, they’re seen as favorites for the tie. Here’s a comparison of the reported transfer fees paid by both teams:
Rangers Europa League squad cost – £34.25m:
– Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (free), Robby McCrorie (Academy), Kieran Wright (Academy)
– Defenders: James Tavernier (£200k), Ridvan Yilmaz (£5m), John Souttar (free), Connor Goldson (£3.5m), Dujon Sterling (free), Ben Davies (£4m), Borna Barisic (£2.2m)
– Midfielders: John Lundstram (free), Ryan Jack (free), Mohamed Diomande (£4.5m), Nicolas Raskin (£1.7m), Tom Lawrence (free), Todd Cantwell (£1.5m)
– Forwards: Scott Wright (£150k), Rabbi Matondo (£2.5m), Abdallah Sima (loan), Fabio Silva (loan), Kemar Roofe (£4.5m), Cyriel Dessers (£4.5m)
Benfica Europa League squad cost – £153.9m:
– Goalkeepers: Anatoliy Trubin (£9.4m), Leo Kokubo (Academy)
– Defenders: Alvaro Fernandez (loan), Morato (£6.5m), Alexander Bah (£6.8m), Juan Bernat (loan), Nicolas Otamendi (£12.8m)
– Midfielders: Fredrik Aursnes (£12.8m), Orkun Kökçü (£26m), João Mário (free), Florentino (Academy)
– Forwards: David Neres (£12.8m), Arthur Cabral (£21.3m), Angel di Maria (free), Casper Tengstedt (£8.3m), Rafa Silva (£13.8m), Benjamin Rollheiser (£7.7m), Marcos Leonardo (£15.7m), Tiago Gouveia (Academy)
As seen, Benfica’s squad is significantly more expensive, with a difference of £119.65m. This vast financial gap underscores the challenge Rangers face in the upcoming matches.
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