Rangers have been handed a £21.5m Europa League boost as Real Betis defender Luiz Felipe moves to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad.
The Brazilian born Italian international centre-back completed a deadline busting move to the Middle East leaving the La Liga side with no time to replace the defender.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the fee is around €25m (£21.5m) with Luiz Felipe becoming the latest name poached by the Saudi Pro League from European football.
Al-Ittihad have been one of the busiest names in the Saudi transfer window with the club signing the liles of Karim Benzema from Real Madrid, N’Golo Kante from Chelsea and Jota from Celtic.
Luiz Felipe is also set to join up with ex-Liverpool midfielder Fabinho in Jeddah, with several high-profile names moving across the Saudi Pro League this summer.
This includes Rangers attacker Fashion Sakala, who has made a bright start to his career out in Saudi Arabia With Al-Fayha.
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Real Betis lose Luis Felipe ahead of Rangers opener
Real Betis’ loss is Rangers’ gain with the two clubs set to face off in a Europa League opener at Ibrox next week.
Whilst Real Betis have banked big bucks from the sale of Luiz Felipe, they are not in a position to replace him with the transfer window slamming shut in Europe last week.
Instead the club will likely have to rely on Argentine international German Pezzella and ex-Barca and Dortmund defender Marc Bartra to stifle the Rangers attack.
Whilst Real Betis do have plenty of talent in their ranks, Rangers supporters are expecting a reaction from their side on the continent at Ibrox in the Europa League.
The Gers were humiliated at the hands of Dutch club PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League Playoff with the club’s poor start to the season compounded by a stuttering domestic start.
Whilst Michael Beale has been offered a stay of Rangers execution for now, should he fail to overcome a weakened Real Betis side following the sale of Luis Felipe then the pressure will increase.