Rangers are being linked with yet another left back with Ajax talent Anass Salah-Eddine now believed to be a target.
We are now into the final week of the January transfer window and Rangers have already wrapped up two new signings.
Fabio Silva and Mohamed Diomande are in but Rangers are expected to go for more signings this week.
Another left back has to be a top priority and Rangers appear to be closing in on signing Fluminense talent Jefte.
Rangers have other targets in mind too and Fabrizio Romano has suggested that Rangers may look to land Ajax talent Anass Salah-Eddine.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at Salah-Eddine and his career to date…
Anass Salah-Eddine, the story so far
Salah-Eddine hails from Amsterdam and started his career with local clubs around the Dutch capital.
Bualw-Wit Amsterdam, RKSV Pancratius and Amsterdamsche FC; Salah-Eddine caught the eye in Amsterdam but wasn’t initially picked up by Ajax.
AZ Alkmaar pounced for Salah-Eddine and he spent three years in their ranks before finally heading to Ajax at the age of 16.
Salah-Eddine emerged in the Jong Ajax side, playing 34 times before recording 10 first-team appearances.
The 22-year-old spent last season out on loan at FC Twente and has been a regular for the Netherlands at youth level.
Salah-Eddine can also play for Morocco and has experience of playing at both left and in central midfield.
Anass Salah-Eddine player profile
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 18/01/2002
- Position: Left back
- Club: Ajax
- Former clubs: AZ Alkmaar, FC Twente
- Nationality: Dutch
- Contract: Until June 2025
Anass Salah-Eddine, what they say
“Anass is a very talented player. He is at the beginning of his career and really wants to prove himself. He is a typical Ajax player: technically skilled, fast and creative. We think he fits very well with the football that FC Twente wants to play,” – former Twente technical director Jan Streuer.
“Salah-Eddine started twice, twice I didn’t find him convincing,” – former Ajax boss Maurice Steijn.
Anass Salah-Eddine to Rangers analysis
Salah-Eddine to Rangers has become a little less likely since the links to Fluminense talent Jefte accelerated.
However, we could still see a way in which Rangers add both Jefte and Salah-Eddine.
There are question marks surrounding the futures of both Borna Barisic and Ridvan Yilmaz, so Rangers may need to find two left backs.
Jefte is a pure left back option but Salah-Eddine offers the ability to play in midfield too.
That would add depth in two key areas, potentially allowing him to play in midfield now but then transition to left back once Barisic’s contract expires in the summer.
That would require a permanent move or a lengthy loan, so much will depend on just how Jefte ends up costing for Rangers.
We would imagine that Rangers will just keep Salah-Eddine as a backup target in case the Jefte deal collapses, but keep an eye on him due to his versatility.
