An initial agreement for Zinedin Smajlovic was in place between Sandefjord and Rangers before Olympiacos completed the deal. Although Rangers were one of the strong competitors for Smajlovic, the player and Sandefjord ultimately chose Olympiacos.

Both Old Firm clubs have failed in their attempts to sign Zinedin Smajlovic.

Rangers are monitoring Zinedin Smajlovic, and reports in Norway claim he may have played his last match for Sandefjord. The club's sporting director, Matteus Bardsen, told TV2 that he would not rule out a departure for the centre-back. Bardsen stated that the club's ambition is to make significant progress and that buying and selling is an important part of their strategy to achieve this. He explained that the acquisition of Devon Koswal does not necessarily mean that Zinedin will be sold in this window, but is more about the club being proactive. Bardsen added that they are in a position where they are not required to sell anyone.

According to a Norwegian report, Sandefjord is asking for more than €5,000,000 for Zinedin Smajlovic, who is a transfer target for Olympiacos. Olympiacos is in an advantageous position to acquire Smajlovic, and Rangers and Hull are also interested. The transfer of the 22-year-old defender would be a record for Sandefjord's most expensive sale, and the club is demanding more than €5,380,000. The proposals Sandefjord has received are approaching this amount. The club has already signed Devon Koswal as Smajlovic's replacement.