Aris Thessaloniki are unlikely to stand in Luis Palma’s way if Scottish Premiership giants Rangers are willing to stump up the £4.5 million fee required during the summer transfer window.
With Rabbi Matondo catching the eye during a rare Rangers outing during Saturday’s 5-2 thumping of St Mirren – coming off the bench to set up an Alfredo Morelos goal – was this something of a ‘coming of age’ performance from the former Manchester City winger? Or merely a false dawn?
Ryan Kent’s expiring contract means there may be a place in Mick Beale’s XI up for grabs next term. One Matondo will be determined to seize.
Unfortunately for Matondo, Honduras international Luis Palma is on Rangers’ radar. The Glasgow giants, then, may opt for an outside hire rather than an internal solution.
Rangers, according to Greek publication SportDog, sent scouts to watch Palma during Aris’ Super League play-off clash with Olympiakos earlier in April.
Mick Beale’s Rangers like Aris winger Luis Palma
Aris have slapped a £4.5 million price-tag on Palma’s head.
There is no release clause in his contract. Though SportDog believe that Aris will not stand in Palma’s way should Rangers – or one of his many other suitors – step up their interest over the coming weeks or months.
‘If the Thessalonians get the money they want, then the player will be sold,’ the report explains.
Palma has 10 goals and six assists from 31 games this season. The right-footed winger, who idolises Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry, looks a readymade replacement for Kent on the left-hand side of Beale’s attack, cutting in from the flank onto his favoured boot.
Aris, SportDog add, have already rejected £1.5 million bids from clubs in the MLS. Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kiev also had a lowball offer turned down. There is also interest from clubs in Germany, France and even Brazil.
“(Ronaldo) is my idol,” Palma told Honduran legend Carlo Costly a couple of months ago, pulling out CR7’s new ‘sleeper’ celebration after hitting a hat-trick past PAS Lamia in November (Deportes).
“I’d like to play in the Spanish league, or the Premier League. I like the Bundesliga a lot too,” adds Palma. “I’d like to go to the Premier very much. I am inspired by those leagues, but we are going step by step.”
“I am very happy about Luis Palma,” explains reporter Salvador Nasralla. “He is undoubtedly one of the best players at the moment.
“(But) you have to work a lot with him to put him inside the tactical diagram that the coach wants.
