Various reports have suggested that Rangers are on the verge of signing Swedish international Filip Helander for anywhere between £3.5m-£5.5m.
The signing would appear to complete Rangers’ defence for the season, with Helander joining Connor Goldson, Nikola Katic and George Edmundson as options at centre half.
But the big defender doesn’t seem to have been Rangers’ first-choice defensive target in the transfer window.
The Ibrox club was previously strongly linked to Mozambican defender Mexer at the end of the last campaign.
The former Stade Rennais centre-half impressed in Ligue 1 last season and was available on a free with his contract expiring at the French club.
Rangers were said to have offered Mexer a deal [STV], but the club couldn’t get any deal over the line and
MORE RANGERS STORIES
But it’s refreshing to see that the Gers haven’t rested on their laurels and have still sought out that quality centre half Steven Gerrard clearly believes we need.
On paper, the difference between the two deals isn’t a question of quality either but more of price.
It would’ve been a truly incredible transfer window to sign such strength in depth on free-contracts and bargain fees.
Prior to the reported fee quoted for Helander Rangers have spent just over £1m in transfer fees for seven players.
There has been a range of conflicting reports concerning the Bologna defender’s transfer fee, with the latest suggesting the fee could eventually reach €6m.
But the important thing is that the club has finally got that quality defensive addition we needed.
Even if the Mexer move ended in disappointment.
