Kaiky Fernandes is the latest name interesting Rangers as the transfer window begins to bottleneck.
Only any successful bid for the Almería defender could depend on who moves out of Ibrox this week.
The Gers are about to enter what Philippe Clement hopes will be a ‘busy’ end to the transfer window with a number of positions yet to be filled in the Ibrox squad.
As Ben Davies is strongly linked with a move to Birmingham City, Kaiky Fernandes has reportedly been the subject of a loan-to-buy offer from Rangers.
The Brazilian defender, 20, is often simply referred to as Kaiky and currently turns out in the Spanish Liga Segunda.
But current club Almería have sent a defiant response amid those Ibrox links and stated their intentions with the player who has been handed a starting berth in their latest game.
Ibrox manager Philippe Clement has also been responding to questions on interest in the centre-back.
Almería state Kaiky Fernandes intentions
Almería certainly don’t appear in any mood to give up one of their star assets in Brazilian centre-back Kaiky.
And amid all that transfer reporting surrounding Rangers, the Spanish second division club included the defender in this weekend’s 1-0 victory over Tenerife.
Kaiky started the clash in Santa Cruz and played just over an hour before being replaced by Dion Lopy, minutes after receiving a yellow card.
Kaiky came through the youth ranks at Santos before making the switch to Almería back in 2022, one year after breaking into the Brazilian side’s first team.
Paying a reported €7m (£6m) for the defender (Globo), Kaiky signed a six year deal at the Spanish club and made his debut for the club in a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid.
Having found himself in and out of the Almería team over the last two years, the centre-back spent last season on loan at Liga Segunda side Alcabete as he finds his feet in Spain.
This campaign it appears clear Almería will look to use Kaiky as a key member of their squad and Rangers might face a tough challenge to sign the defender.
Spanish publication Marca claim that Almería are confident Kaiky has a ‘great future’ and want him to continue to develop in their first-team this season.
Rangers manager fails to rule out Kaiky move
Rangers have reportedly had an opening bid turned down for Kaiky this week.
That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who claims that the Gers had an opening offer of €750k (£635k) (£700k) with a €7m (£6m) purchase option turned down by Almería.
The deal was also said to have included a sell-on clause of 30%.
If anything, the offer suggests just how highly Rangers rate Kaiky’s chances of going on and making a big impression in the game.
Romano has since given an interview with Give Me Sport and revised those initial claims, suggesting Rangers actually bid €1m (£850k) for the defender.
The Italian journalist also suggests that Rangers could yet return with another offer but that for the time being, such a figure will not be enough to tempt the Spanish side into selling.
Rangers manager Philippe Clement has also been asked about those links to Kaiky Fernandes in the press and was coy on any transfer interest in the player specifically.
In doing so, Clement failed to rule out any Rangers interest, but it’s clear it’s a position the club is looking to recruit in given the situation with Ben Davies.
“If people leave we need other people in, that’s clear,” said Clement when asked about links to Kaiky. “Otherwise we’ll be short in that position.”
If Rangers do return for Kaiky and manage to strike a deal with Almería, then the Brazilian would join countrymen Danilo and Jefte at the Ibrox club.
