Rangers have agreed a deal with Troyes to sign Sankhoun Diawara, but face late competition from European giants AC Milan.
According to breaking reports from Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, the Serie A heavyweights have launched an ambitious attempt to hijack the transfer.
The Light Blues have made substantial progress for the robust French central defender, successfully striking a club-to-club agreement with Troyes.
However, AC Milan are aiming to outmanoeuvre the Ibrox side at the final hurdle, as per Foot Mercato.
Crucially, while Milan intend to recruit the 20-year-old for their Under-23s reserve team, Rangers hold a massive pitch advantage by offering Diawara an immediate pathway straight into their senior team alongside European football.
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Diawara, who remains under contract with Troyes until 2027, has caught the eye of top European scouts due to his imposing physical presence, defensive composure and left-footed profile.
It is no secret that Rangers have been targeting a naturally left-sided centre-back all summer and Diawara certainly fits the recruitment bill.
While the allure of San Siro is obvious, the structural contrast between both proposals gives the Ibrox club genuine leverage.
Rangers’ recruitment team identified Diawara as an ideal fit to bolster their central defensive unit.
However, having already reached an agreement with Troyes, the decision now largely rests on the player’s personal career priorities.
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It emerged on Monday, 20 July, that AC Milan have made enquiries for Diawara, but it may be too late, as Rangers have already struck a deal with Troyes.
However, the size of the Serie A giants means that a last-minute hijack cannot be ruled out yet.
For Diawara, the decision should be straightforward, with the prospect of regular first-team football at Ibrox making way more sense for his footballing career.
The ball is now in the defender’s court, and it remains to be seen which direction he will choose.
Meanwhile, fending off competition from AC Milan would be a huge statement from Andrew Cavenagh, especially since the Gers are facing embarrassment at the hands of Cardiff City in the race to sign Jens Hjerto-Dahl.
