Rangers last transfer window with Nils Koppen and Philippe Clement suggested that a new direction is being taken by the club.
The Gers boss wants exciting players in his squad, ones who are younger and more dynamic.
Basically, the sort of players who made a difference for Benfica at Ibrox in Rangers Europa League exit and Philippe Clement could well make a summer move for an up and coming prospect who has already been linked.
Rangers may have Philippe Clement enforcer lined up already
There have been reports that the Light Blues director of football recruitment is looking further afield and in new markets for potential targets.
Oscar Cortes was signed via a meeting at the innovative TransferRoom conference before the winter window opened and South America appears to be a market that is a key focus.
Players like Luca Langoni and Jefte are also said to be on Clement’s shopping list but it is another January leak who could be the key summer signing.
Against Benfica, midfield was where the battle was won and lost.
John Lundstram, who is normally so dominant, just couldn’t get on top of players who were sharper and moved the ball quicker than him.
He always seemed to be a step or two behind them.
In possession, he was fine, but the biggest problem was that he couldn’t pressure Benfica’s midfield enought to force them into turning possession over.
Oscar Zambrano is a natural defensive midfielder who has already seen his name mentioned as a player we are looking at and possible Premier League target but Rangers should look to steal the LDU Quito enforcer before his price tag becomes too high.
After HITC exclusively revealed Koppen’s interest in Zambrano, transfer journalist Dean Jones was a big fan of the possible move:
“But if Rangers could somehow get involved with that and win the battle by signing him, they would be acquiring an unbelievable player that completely changes the landscape for how they could look to build that team.”
Rangers don’t have an out and out defensive midfielder who can dictate play and protect the defence.
Ryan Jack is good at putting out fires but he isn’t the type of player who can dictate play.
Lundstram is the best out of what we have but he too is limited and a square peg in a round hole.
It didn’t work out with Jose Cifuentes but this shouldn’t put us off, plenty of Ecuadorians have moved to colder climes and adapted well.
Bids of £3m were reportedly knocked back previously and £5m is the figure said to be Zambrano’s valuation.
It’s a lot of money but, as we’ve seen with Cortes already, it’s the going rate for the type of player we need to progress and to have a successful player trading model.
