This time last week, Rangers appeared to be closing in on not one, not two but three new signings.
Seven days on, Philippe Clement’s Scottish Premiership runners-up have at least got Jefte Vital through the door, the former APOEL Nicosia loanee finally arriving at Ibrox five months after Rangers initially agreed terms with Brazilian outfit Fluminense.
Jefte was expected to be joined in Glasgow by another exciting young, left-sided defender. Jose Cordoba‘s move to Rangers has not merely cooled, however, but frozen over. The Gers reportedly pulling their hat out of the ring a fortnight after talks over a potential £3.2 million deal reached an advanced stage.
Cordoba could now move to England instead with Norwich City.
As for the twinkle-toed teenage midfielder also high on Rangers’ shopping list, Relebohile ‘Rele’ Mofokeng is now being urged to stay where he is.
And the words of Hugo Broos – head coach of South Africa and the man who holds the keys to Mofokeng’s international future – are likely to resonate with a 19-year-old facing up to a decision which feels like something of a sliding door’s moment in his admittedly young career.
Rele Mofokeng urged not to pursue Rangers move
Rangers, the Scottish Sun say, are leading the pack for Mofokeng’s signature. But, after handing him his first ever call-up for the senior South Africa side, Broos has wasted no time thrusting a few cautionary tales in the Orlando Pirates attacker’s face.
“This is not the right moment to go overseas,” Broos argues, via the Hollywood Sports Blog. “Firstly, he doesn’t have international experience. Nothing.
“Stay at Pirates. Play another season here in South Africa with the CAF Champions League games hopefully, and then he will be a better player.”
Broos highlights the example of Cassius Mailula. The former Mamelodi Sundowns starlet moved to the MLS with Toronto FC but has made only four appearances in almost a year, stuck behind ex-Napoli talisman Lorenzo Insigne and one-time Juventus ace Federico Bernardeschi in the pecking order.
“You see what happened with Mailula. He went to Toronto FC and there were two former Italian internationals,” Broos adds.
“What are you going to do with a little guy from South Africa? He didn’t play.”
There are, of course, no Insignes or Bernardeschis at Ibrox. Rangers do, however, have Nicolas Raskin, Mohamed Diomande, Todd Cantwell and Tom Lawrence.
Mofokeng, who has been likened to Barcelona icon Andres Iniesta due to his clever movement and lock-picking passes, likes to drift in from the left. But so does Abdallah Sima, who may yet be secured on a permanent deal after a fine loan spell from Brighton and Hove Albion. Rabbi Matondo is also most comfortable on the left.
Then again, a return to European football plus two domestic cups means first-team opportunities should still be pretty forthcoming for Mofokeng at Rangers. Particularly under a manager in Clement who likes to rotate and keep his squad fresh.
No matter what happens, the signing of Jefte – the pursuits of Mofokeng, Cordoba and the Romania-based Albion Rrahmani – is proof of Rangers’ willingness to cast the net far and wide under Clement and director Nils Koppen.
“Jefte is an exciting young defender,” Clement tells the Rangers website of his new left-back. “I am delighted that he has joined our squad so early in the summer period.
“He has already shown he is a player of great quality and potential and I am confident he can play a big part in our squad moving forward. I look forward to working with him in the months to come.”
“He is a player we have been interested in for a number of months,” Koppen adds. “And it is fantastic to have him join the club. We are planning for the future, and young talented players, like Jefte, will be crucial in that.
“We are working hard behind the scenes. It is hugely positive for us, and for Philippe and his coaching staff, that we have been able to begin business early as we prepare for the 2024/25 season.”
