Speculation surrounding the Rangers left back position has been rife all January but the proposed £17m (€20m) transfer of Renan Lodi appears central to any upheaval.
According to reports, Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal are in advanced talks to stump up for the 25-year-old Brazilian left-back, who currently turns out for Marseille.
It’s a suggestion which has been backed up by former Rangers midfielder and Marseille manager Gennaro Gattuso, who admits that’s why the left-back missed the club’s 1-1 draw with Strasbourg.
“Yes, there are talks ongoing for Lodi,” said Gattuso. “We didn’t want to risk anything, that’s why he didn’t play.
“There are negotiations and I can’t say more.”
Marseille move for Josh Doig as Renan Lodi readies exit
Some might be scratching their heads and wondering what this has to do with Rangers but Renan Lodi’s proposed switch from Marseille to Saudi could crucial to Ibrox upheaval in the left-back position.
With those funds, Marseille could then go into the market to sign young Scotland and Verona left-back Josh Doig, who has been heavily linked with a move to France.
In fact, according to Fabrizio Romano, Marseille have already agreed terms with Josh Doig, whilst the Italian journalist has rubbished those links between Rangers and the ex-Hibs defender.
Sky Sports are reporting that the French side will pay a maximum of £4.3m to complete the deal for the 21-year-old.
Rangers left-back Ridvan Yilmaz linked to Verona
So where does that leave the Rangers squad?
Well once Renan Lodi moves to Al-Hilal from Marseille, and Josh Doig leaves Verona for Ligue 1, the Italians would then theoretically be ready to move for Rangers star Ridvan Yilmaz.
The Turkish left-back, 22, had been linked with a permanent move out of Ibrox this January but the latest suggests Verona hope to secure a loan deal.
However, the entire thing has been complicated by the fact that Ridvan Yilmaz started and played 45 minutes for the club in a pre-season friendly with Hertha Berlin earlier on Saturday.
There are a host of names being linked to Rangers in the left-back position but until the dominoes start to fall we don’t suspect any movement in and out of Ibrox.
