Can Rangers afford to sign James Penrice permanently?

The Gers paid over £30m this summer on new signings, making it one of the largest single-window investments in the club’s history. Rangers News exclusively reported that there is unlikely to be too much happening in January unless there’s a big-name exit.

Despite the big spending, there were funds allocated to signing Penrice permanently, and the club always planned on exercising the option to buy. So, they can afford to sign the 27-year-old, and McInnes going on record to state that is a sign that steps are being taken towards making it happen.

The club’s latest financial accounts for the year ending 30 June 2025 show record revenues made of £94.1m and operating expenses down 4% from the previous year. There was also £30.5m in closing cash, largely due to the £20m equity injection by the new owners.

This suggests that the club are in a solid financial position and can not only afford to sign Penrice permanently, but can also make signings if needed in January. However, as things stand, that does not seem to be the plan, one source tells Rangers News.

What does Penrice’s permanent transfer mean for Tuur Rommens’ Ibrox future?

Tuur Rommens was linked with an Ibrox exit in the summer, but did not end up leaving the club. McInnes saw the Belgian defender as an important part of his first-team plans despite sanctioning the loan move for Penrice.

However, the Scottish full-back was signed as a backup, but due to Rommens‘ injury, he has now become a first-team regular. With his deal likely to be made permanent, the former Westerlo defender may feel that he would become the second-choice left-back.

As things stand, the club have no plans to sell Rommens, and he has also shown no inclination to push for an exit, having joined in January 2026. Even in the summer, while a return to Belgium fancied him, he did not want to go against the club’s wishes, and that stance has not changed.