Rangers are interested in signing Metz defender Mamadou Fofana this summer, according to the player’s agent, as quoted by the Scottish Sun.
22-year-old Fofana is a Mali international who turned out 20 times in Ligue 1 this season.
The centre-back, who can also play in midfield, began his career at Turkish Super Lig club Alanyaspor and moved to France in 2018 for a fee of £400,000.
Two years on, it’s suggested he is now worth around £2.5 million.
“Rangers are looking at Mamadou, but they are not alone,” said Fofana’s agent, Seku Traore, as quoted by the Scottish Sun.
“There are clubs in Russia interested, including Krasnodar, Dynamo Moscow and Lokomotiv Moscow.
“We will decide this summer what is the best option for him.”
Verdict
Amid the global health crisis, there’s great uncertainty around the summer transfer window.
The dates between which deals can take place are as yet undetermined, while travel bans and quarantine guidelines may ensure it is logistically difficult to complete transfers for players hailing from outside the UK.
However, if a club identifies a player early and acts efficiently, some moves may be possible.
In Connor Goldson, Nikola Katic, Filip Helander and George Edmundson – Steven Gerrard already has four senior centre-backs in his squad.
However, defensive lapses were prevalent after the winter break and the Gers struggled to keep clean sheets both in domestic and European competition. Therefore, it could be an area in need of strengthening.
Fofana is relatively young and inexperienced but will have been tested against some top players in Ligue 1 and his versatility could be part of his appeal.
£2.5m is less than the Gers paid for both Goldson and Helander, so if the 6ft 2″ Mali international is high on Gerrard’s wish list, the fee shouldn’t be a stumbling block.
