Hearts talisman Claudio Braga is aware of concrete transfer interest from Rangers, with manager Derek McInnes strongly considering another raid on his former Edinburgh employers.
The 26-year-old Portuguese forward has dominated social media forums for weeks, with the Ibrox faithful largely in favour of his signature.
Now, a definitive report from major Portuguese sports outlet O Jogo has added serious substance to the speculation, confirming that Braga’s camp is fully apprised of Rangers’ active admiration.
Should the Light Blues pull the trigger on a formal approach, it would represent the fourth high-profile asset they have stripped from the Gorgie club this summer, following the arrivals of Lawrence Shankland, Cammy Devlin and manager Derek McInnes.
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Claudio Braga apprised of Rangers interest as bids loom
Braga’s meteoric rise across the last 12 months has made him one of the most coveted signatures in Scottish football.
Plucked from Norwegian outfit Aalesunds FK for a modest £430,000 package, the versatile striker completely set the Premiership division alight, racking up 17 goals to sweep the PFA, SFWA and SPFL player of the year awards.
According to O Jogo, Braga is keeping a very close eye on the developing situation in Glasgow.
However, the Light Blues will have to move decisively to match the staggering scale of the competing bids being drawn up on the continent.
Newly-promoted Premier League side Ipswich Town are currently preparing a formal opening package in the region of £9.4million.
It would stand as the most lucrative player sale in Hearts’ entire history.
Furthermore, French giants Lyon, headed by Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca, have kept the forward on their transfer shortlist for several weeks, alongside interest from Turkish side Trabzonspor.
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Hearts stance amid Ibrox raid
Hearts are under minimal pressure to give in to a domestic competitor. The player is tied down to a contract running until 2028.
However, the Jambos hierarchy privately established a firm £8m to £10m baseline price tag on the forward.
The reality that Braga is aware of Rangers‘ interest provides a massive psychological boost to the Ibrox hierarchy.
The undeniable lure of stepping into a familiar tactical framework alongside his former strike-partner Shankland gives Rangers a unique card to play.
However, with the astronomical financial muscle of the English top-flight knocking loudly on the door, Andrew Cavenagh and Co. must prepare an aggressive, highly competitive package to convert Braga’s current awareness into an official unveiling.
