Michael Beale has said that he wants to add a central defender to his numbers this season and Kevin Mantilla might be the latest Colombian to join Rangers.
Previous interest has seen a £2m valuation placed on the 20-year old’s head, however, the Light Blues will need to up their game if the rising star is to be snapped up.
According to Colombian football journalist Pipe Sierra, Kevin Mantilla is now a target for Argentinian outfit Club Atletico Talleres.
Sierra has broken stories in the past regarding Alfredo Morelos and is a reliable source for all things football in his homeland.
Writing on Twitter, the journalist said of the interest in the Under-20 international:
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“Talleres showed interest in Kevin Mantilla (20); He has already contacted Santa Fe and could offer in the next few days for the Colombian defender.
“They tell me from Argentina that the match against Italy will be important in the negotiation.
“It is not the only club interested…”
That last line is the hook.
Kevin Mantilla to Rangers makes sense for Michael Beale
Rangers have been going about their transfer business quietly and effectively and Mantilla certainly fits the profile of what Michael Beale will be looking for this summer.
In Connor Goldson, John Souttar and Ben Davies, he has three experienced centre-halves, add Leon King and Dujon Sterling into the mix and we are well stocked.
If Davies was to leave though, replacing him with someone who is so highly rated and has – like King – already played the equivalent of Champions League level football would be good business.
The fee, a reported £2m, would also be sound business sense if Davies can be sold for what we paid for him last summer.
With European aspirations, Rangers can prove that Glasgow could be a stepping stone to some of the continent’s finest clubs, if Mantilla makes a positive impression.
It’s little wonder that Liverpool and Porto have been name checked as interested parties, another indication that there is a bargain to be had.
If we get there first that is.