Mick Beale’s Rangers like Colombian starlet Kevin Mantilla but the Santa Fe youngster would prefer to make a summer switch to a La Liga club instead.
The Scottish Premiership giants have already seen one central defensive target secure a move this week.
William Pacho, who was reportedly scouted by Rangers before Christmas, sealed a big-money move to Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt; the side who broke Gers hearts in Seville a year ago stumping up an initial £8 million.
19-year-old Mantilla is not quite so expensive.
Santa Fe still expect offers of around £2 million, however, for a teenager who has not yet played 30 league games in his senior career, South American reporter Pipe Sierre writes on Twitter.
Rangers like Colombia starlet Kevin Mantilla
Rangers, Football Insider say, are one of Mantilla’s many admirers.
But the youngster would prefer to join a club in Spain’s top flight (Futbol Red). Mantilla, a Colombia U20 international, will presumably find it easier to adapt to life in La Liga, given his Spanish-speaking roots. Rangers do already have one Colombian in their ranks, though Alfredo Morelos could depart when his contract expires in July.
If Mantilla misses out on his preferred destination, Futbol Red believe that he 6ft 3ins centre-half could end up in Serie A instead. Torino, TMW add, hope to tie up a deal for Mantilla sooner rather than later. The Granata will be boosted by suggestions that Liverpool, another club keen on the teen sensation, may struggle to obtain the requisite work permit.
“(Mantilla is) a magnificent person,” explains Santa Fe president Eduardo Mendez. “He values and respects his club.”
“We have to think first of the team. Clubs have called us, looked at us, and we have the doors open.”
Rangers are looking to bring in defensive reinforcements this summer. Beale is prioritising a left-footed option rather than a right-footer like Mantilla, however. Filip Helander is leaving with his contract, like that of Morelos, running out.
Pacho would have been ideal, but quickly moved out of Rangers’ financial reach. Nottingham Forest’s Coventry City loanee Jonathan Panzo is a more affordable alternative.
