Reported former Rangers target Gustavo Hamer is preparing to take centre-stage for Coventry City as they face off against Luton for a shot in the Premier League.
The Brazilian-born midfielder, 25, has been a key player for the Skyblues in their run to the Championship Playoff Final but, one time, he might have wound up at Ibrox.
Rangers were extensively linked with a move for Gustavo Hamer – who has now chosen to represent the Netherlands internationally – back in 2021.
There were claims that Rangers could pay up to £4m for Hamer as he continued to impress with Coventry, following a move from Dutch outfit PEC Zwolle in 2020.
However, there was some conjecture regarding potential Rangers interest, with leading club insiders Heart & Hand claiming that the Gers were not actually interested.
Rangers-linked Gustavo Hamer sending Coventry to glory
All the talk of a move to Ibrox hasn’t hindered Hamer, with Gustavo blending his Brazilian birthright with his upbringing in the Netherlands to shine for Coventry in the middle of the park.
It has been a hugely successful season for Hamer at the former Ricoh Arena, with the one-time reported Rangers target’s nine goals from midfield helping Coventry to the play-offs.
Those include the all-important strike in the second leg of the semi-final against Middlesbrough; that solitary goal enough for the Netherlands star to haul his teammates to Wembley.
Adding another 10 assists in a total of 41 Championship games, Gustavo played every minute of the semi against Boro and is expected to be a key player in the final against Luton this weekend.
It means Rangers fans might rue the missed opportunity to sign Hamer, with a shot at the glamorous and cash-rich Premier League potentially to follow.
Whichever team wins the tie will see their coffers suitably reinforced, with clubs set to rake in as much as £178m from promotion to the Premier League.
Another player involved in the clash is Rangers-linked Nottingham Forest loanee Jonathan Panzo, who has played regularly as a squad option for Coventry this season.