Rangers have reportedly failed with a £2.5 million bid for Aris winger Luis Palma as the Honduras international is left out of his country’s Gold Cup squad due to those ongoing transfer talks.
Earlier in May, one high-profile Scottish publication indicated that reports linking Luis Palma with a summer move to Ibrox were wide of the mark.
That has not stopped the rumour mill from turning however. Far from it.
Shortly after Aris’ sporting director appeared to confirm Rangers’ interest, Greek website Athlos News now go as far as to directly contradict the Daily Record’s claims.
“There may be reports in Scotland that Rangers have stopped tracking Palma,” they begin. “But that is not the case.
MORE RANGERS STORIES
“Mick Beale’s side (are) expected to return with an improved offer in June.”
Rangers are still in discussions for Luis Palma
Palma, an explosive right-footed left winger renowned for his clean ball-striking ability and his searing pace, is valued by Aris at £5 million.
Rangers’ opening bid of £2.5 million, then, was always likely to fall short of their expectations. Especially with interest from a host of other clubs – from France to Brazil, America to Belgium – threatening to spark a bidding war for a man who has 13 goals and eight assists to show for an outstanding 2022/23 campaign.
Palma, Sfina add, will not be part of the Honduras side for next month’s Gold Cup. The reason for his absence, meanwhile, appears to surround the talks over his future at club level; Palma concerned that an injury on international duty would wreck his hopes of a dream move.
Palma, meanwhile, appeared to open the door to a move to Scotland last week, in quotes reported by Diez.
“I like the (leagues in) Belgium, Spain, the Premier League, Scotland, the Netherlands,” the 23-year-old explained.
And when pressed on whether he plans to leave Aris this summer, Palma was unequivocal.
“1000 per cent,” he said.