Rangers face missing out on Colombian defender Kevin Mantilla with reports in Portugal suggesting that FC Porto are now in ‘advanced’ talks with the £3 million-rated starlet.
The transfer window hasn’t even opened yet – officially, at least – but Mick Beale already appears to be spinning more plates than the entire cast of the Cirque du Soleil.
In addition to making decisions regarding the futures of Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Jack, Allan McGregor, Ryan Kent and co, Beale is also laying the foundations for what he dubs Rangers’ ‘biggest rebuild in years’.
Deals to bring in Dujon Sterling, Kieran Dowell and Jose Cifuentes from Chelsea, Norwich City and Los Angeles FC appear to be progressing nicely. There are, however, contrasting reports regarding Rangers’ hopes of tying down Crystal Palace goalkeeper Jack Butland and Aris winger Luis Palma.
Rangers likely to miss out on Kevin Mantilla to FC Porto
But if Sterling, Dowell and Cifuentes have been given the green light – and if Butland and Palma are stuck on orange – then Mantilla appears cast in a deep red hue, as far as Rangers are concerned anyway.
Reports linked Rangers with the exciting Colombian centre-half a few months ago, though FC Porto have since moved into pole position.
According to Portuguese publication Bola na Rede, Porto are in ‘advanced’ talks with the 19-year-old colossus, who caught the eye during the recent South American U20 Championships. Current employers Santa Fe want £3 million. Porto are hoping to agree a slightly lower fee, though a compromise should not be difficult to reach.
Mantilla, then, looks likely to follow in the footsteps of fellow Colombians Radamel Falcao, Matheus Uribe, Fredy Guarin and Luis Diaz – now of Liverpool – at the Estadio do Dragao.
Missing out on Mantilla, however, is unlikely to represent a substantial blow to Rangers’ transfer plans. He is a right-footed centre-half, and the Gers are more in need of a defensive southpaw given Filip Helander’s expiring contract.
Nottingham Forest’s Jonathan Panzo and Arsenal’s Auston Trusty are two names to keep an eye on over the coming weeks.
