Hull City and Cardiff City compete to sign the star following Rangers’ decision.

Hull City and Cardiff City have emerged as the leading contenders to sign Tromso midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl after Rangers decided to end their pursuit of the highly rated youngster.

The 20-year-old Norway Under-21 international has become one of the most sought-after young midfielders in Scandinavia, attracting interest from clubs across England, Scotland and several of Europe’s top leagues. With Tromso expected to sanction a sale before the transfer window closes, the race for his signature is beginning to intensify.

According to Football Insider sources, both Hull and Cardiff are preparing formal offers in an attempt to convince the Norwegian side to part with one of their brightest talents. Although the reported asking price is around £8.5 million, neither Championship club has been discouraged, and both remain determined to complete a deal.

Cardiff’s admiration for Hjerto-Dahl is nothing new. The Welsh club have monitored his development for a considerable period and had hoped this summer would finally provide the opportunity to bring him to the Championship. However, Hull City’s growing interest has transformed what once appeared to be a straightforward pursuit into a competitive transfer battle.

The Tigers, fresh from securing promotion, are eager to strengthen their squad with young players capable of making an immediate impact while also possessing long-term resale value. Hjerto-Dahl fits that profile perfectly, making him an attractive target as Hull continue shaping their squad for the new campaign.

Football Insider recently reported on its Transfer Insider podcast that both Championship clubs are now actively preparing bids, believing they have a realistic chance of persuading the midfielder to move to English football.

Despite the sizeable valuation placed on the player by Tromso, confidence remains high among both clubs that an agreement can eventually be reached. Negotiations are expected to continue as the transfer window progresses.

Rangers had previously been viewed as one of the strongest contenders to secure Hjerto-Dahl’s signature. The Scottish giants had tracked the midfielder for an extended period and were widely regarded as favourites after missing out on signing him during an earlier transfer window.

However, their interest has now cooled significantly after failing to match Tromso’s financial demands.

The Ibrox club reportedly submitted an opening offer worth around £5 million in an effort to sign the Norwegian prospect. That proposal was quickly rejected by Tromso, who maintained their valuation of approximately £8.5 million and showed little willingness to negotiate significantly below that figure.

Rather than returning with an improved bid, Rangers have now chosen to withdraw from negotiations altogether.

Football Insider revealed at the end of July that the Scottish club had officially stepped away from discussions because the gap between their valuation and Tromso’s asking price remained too wide to bridge.

With Rangers no longer actively pursuing the deal, the path has become considerably clearer for Hull City and Cardiff City to intensify their own efforts.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, it was explained that Rangers’ inability to meet the financial demands effectively opened the door for English clubs to take control of the race.

The report noted that Rangers had initially shown serious intent by making a bid in the region of £5 million, but Tromso’s insistence on a much higher fee left little room for compromise.

As a result, interest from Ibrox diminished, allowing other clubs already monitoring the situation to accelerate their own plans.

Hull City and Cardiff City are now viewed as the leading candidates, with both clubs believing they can convince Hjerto-Dahl that a move to the Championship represents the ideal next step in his development.

Although Rangers had maintained long-standing admiration for the midfielder, competing financially against ambitious English clubs was always likely to prove challenging.

Championship clubs often possess greater spending power than many Scottish Premiership sides, particularly when targeting highly rated young players with significant future potential.

That financial reality appears to have played a major role in Rangers’ decision to abandon the pursuit.

Hjerto-Dahl’s performances for Tromso have attracted attention well beyond Scotland and the Championship.

Football Insider previously reported last summer that Premier League clubs Brighton and Leeds United had both been monitoring his progress closely as they assessed potential future transfer opportunities.

Both clubs are still believed to admire the midfielder’s qualities, although neither has yet launched a formal move during the current transfer window.

For now, Hull City and Cardiff City appear to be leading the chase, but continued interest from Premier League clubs could yet influence how the transfer develops if they decide to become more actively involved.

The Norwegian youngster’s reputation has continued to grow thanks to his mature performances at club level and his displays for Norway’s Under-21 national team.

His technical ability, composure in possession and impressive tactical awareness have made him one of Scandinavia’s most highly regarded emerging midfielders.

Those qualities explain why several clubs across Europe have been monitoring his development over recent months.

As the transfer window enters its final stages, Hjerto-Dahl’s future is expected to become one of the more closely watched stories involving Championship clubs.

Hull City view him as a player capable of strengthening their midfield immediately while also developing into a valuable long-term asset.

Cardiff City, meanwhile, remain determined to secure a player they have admired for some time and are unlikely to abandon their interest without a fight.

With Rangers officially out of contention, the battle has effectively become a direct contest between the two Championship rivals.

Whether either club is willing to satisfy Tromso’s £8.5 million valuation could ultimately determine where Hjerto-Dahl begins the next chapter of his promising career.

Unless another European heavyweight enters the race unexpectedly, Hull City and Cardiff City now appear best positioned to complete one of the Championship’s most eye-catching transfers before the summer window closes.