When Rangers links to Domagoj Bradaric appeared this week, they somewhat contradicted comments from Philippe Clement.
The Croatian left-back, 24, currently turns out for Serie B side Salernitana and was linked in the wake of Rangers losing Ridvan Yilmaz to a medium-term injury.
With the Gers also having Brazilian left-back Jefte and Scotland youth international Robbie Fraser in their ranks, Clement suggested other positions in the club’s squad are a transfer priority.
But despite this, Rangers links to Domagoj Bradaric have no intensified in Italy whilst according to one leading Scottish outlet, Clement might well have changed his mind.
Domagoj Bradaric points to Rangers left-wing solution
Croatia international Domagoj Bradaric was first linked to Rangers earlier last week.
But after reputable Italian outlet Il Mattino reaffirmed the reports, it’s got Rangers fans talking.
The ex-Hajduk Split and Lille defender is reportedly being targeted on a loan-to-buy deal as penny-pinching Rangers look to navigate a troublesome summer transfer window.
Should any move be followed through to completion, Rangers would wind up with no fewer than four options at left-back in the squad this season.
It’s not exactly a situation conducive to Robbie Fraser getting minutes.
But interestingly, Rangers continue to fall short in their hunt for a new left-winger with Abdallah Sima moving to Brest and every other name linked probably out of the club’s price range.
Benfica winger Tiago Gouveia now looks likely to stay in Portugal, whilst Fiorentina’s Croatian winger Josip Brekalo continues to be mentioned.
If Rangers instead opt to bring in Domagoj Bradaric, it might suggest that Philippe Clement wants to push 20-year-old Brazilian left-back Jefte further up the pitch.
The summer signing from Fluminense has impressed so far this season with Clement waxing lyrical about Jefte following the weekend’s win over St Johnstone.
Philippe Clement contradicted in transfer update
Rangers manager Philippe Clement was asked about signing a replacement for Ridvan Yilmaz over the weekend.
With the line of questioning coming before Domagoj Bradaric appeared on the scene as a transfer target, Clement gave a frustrated response.
Rangers are currently counting the cost of failure to reach the Champions League and need to shift players out of the club before they can make any signings.
As a result, Philippe Clement went on to insinuate that other areas of the squad require much more attention than the left-back berth.
“I don’t think we have the assets to do those things (bring in another left-back),” said Clement. “We have to put all the focus on the positions we need for the squad for the rest of the season.
“Bringing in another full-back now and to have Ridvan and have Jefte – and we have a third one with Robbie Fraser who has made a good evolution in the last couple of months.
“So it is his time to take his chance and he did positive things in the pre-season. To give chances to guys coming out of the academy is also part of the story.”
But before we all start taking Philippe Clement too literally, the Rangers Review have also appeared to contradict the Rangers manager.
In a recent transfer report, Joshua Barrie claims that Rangers are actively trying to recruit a player on the left-hand side.
As a result of the versatility of the club’s left-back options – Robbie Fraser came off the bench to play left-wing against St Johnstone – they claim such an option could arrive in the shape of either a left-winger or a left-back.
This would certainly add weight to the more advanced Jefte theory, with Domagoj Bradaric a potential answer to the club’s left of field woes.
