Dembo Saidykhan has completed a move to Canada with Vancouver Whitecaps after reports linked Rangers with the Gambian defender a couple of weeks ago.
After Auston Trusty swapped Arsenal for Sheffield United to the tune of £5 million, and following reports suggesting that a deal for Jonathan Panzo has become increasingly unlikely, the pool of potential centre-back signings shrunk even further as far as Mick Beale was concerned on Thursday evening.
Rangers, according to the Daily Mail, were one of a number of clubs on both sides on the Atlantic keeping tabs on young Dembo Saidykhan.
So impressive at the U20 African Cup of Nations, Saidykhan’s agent is clearly in no doubt about his client’s potential.
“He is one of the world’s greatest defensive talents in his age group,” Sacha Empacher told Tipsbladet.
If that’s the case, Saidykhan might not be in Canada for long; Vancouver Whitecaps a potential stepping stone onto bigger and better things for the 19-year-old Gambian.
Rangers linked Dembo Saidykhan moves to the MLS
“We’re excited to add these four talented young players to our club who are looking to take the next step in their careers,” Vancouver Whitecaps’ sporting director Axel Schuster explains, Saidykhan joined at the BC Place Stadium by three more fresh-faced talents.
“We’ve shown that there is a clear pathway (to progress). We look forward to welcoming each of them to Vancouver, and to help them continue in their development.”
Saidykhan was also linked with Toulouse, Nordsjaelland and Championship outfit Southampton.
Rangers do, at least, have plenty of central defensive options at their disposal ahead of their Scottish Premiership opener away at Kilmarnock on Saturday. John Souttar is fully fit these days. Leon Balogun has returning to Ibrox. And John Lundstram also capable of slotting in at the back if required.
There are, however, concerns over the lack of naturally left-footed centre-half options at Mick Beale’s disposal. Filip Helander has still not been replaced directly, while there are also doubts over Ben Davies’ future.
