Luis Palma has directly addressed reports linking him with Rangers for the first time with the £5 million-rated winger explaining that there are ‘quite a few teams’ looking to sign him this summer.
Technically speaking, the transfer window hasn’t even opened yet. But, nevertheless, Rangers already find themselves locked in a saga which continues to rumble on with barely a hint of light at the end of a long and winding tunnel.
Luis Palma, reportedly the club’s number one target to replace the out-of-contract Ryan Kent, has already admitted that he would be keen on a move to Scotland, while Aris’ sporting director appeared to confirm Rangers’ interest back in May.
Now, in conversation with El Heraldo, the jet-heeled 23-year-old responded for the first time when asked specifically about a potential move to Ibrox.
Not that he gave too much away, of course.
Is Rangers’ Luis Palma chase destined to fail?
“I don’t like to speculate,” Palma said when it was put to the him directly that Rangers were looking to lure the forward to Ibrox.
MORE RANGERS STORIES
“But there are quite a few teams (interested in me). Also, some teams from Greece have approached my agent.
“With great respect to the Aris fans – last time they wrote to me angrily about what I said in an interview! – like every player, I would like to leave the club in the future, in a deal where both the team and I win.
“I’ve matured a lot in Greece. I have (Honduras) team-mates who played in great teams in Europe. I feel that I am fully mature enough to change clubs in the future.”
There are suggestions in some quarters that Rangers may be ready to accept defeat in pursuit of an attacker who idolises Cristiano Ronaldo, scoring 13 goals and setting up eight more while cutting in form the left in a manner reminiscent of the former Manchester United icon.
Rangers reportedly failed with an opening bid of £2.5 million. Aris, meanwhile, are reluctant to back down on their £5 million asking price (Athlos News).
“I have a three-year contract,” Palma adds. “(My future) is for the president to decide. If things don’t work out, I will continue to focus on the season.”