Joan Jordan is the latest name causing Rangers fans to frantically update their phone screens this transfer window.
The Spanish midfielder, 30, has reportedly been the subject of Ibrox interest as the Gers look for more experience and quality ahead of the Champions League qualifiers.
Rangers have reportedly had an initial Jordan loan bid punted out but the interest is not said to be over just yet.
With other reports coming from Spain suggesting that Rangers will test Sevilla’s Joan Jordan resolve with an improved offer, fans are waiting for a more concrete update.
Now, Spanish publication Que Deportes has been providing some additional information and claims Joan Jordan has now accepted he’ll be leaving Sevilla this summer.
Jordan accepts Sevilla fate
As the Rangers reports started to spread, so did news that Joan Jordan has already been told he was surplus to requirements at Sevilla this season.
With the La Liga club stuttering to a 14th place finish last season, the two-time Europa League winner has fallen victim to a transfer cull at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuán.
The Spaniards have already reinforced their midfield ahead of Jordan’s exit, Sevilla moving for Arsenal’s Sambi Lokonga and Atletico’s Saul Niguez in recent days.
Now it appears that Joan Jordan has ‘finally accepted’ he’ll need to move on from the Spanish club this summer.
But Sevilla will need to climb down from their initial demand of would-be suitors paying the entirety of the midfielder’s £70k per week wages.
According to the Que Deportes report, Rangers are also not the only team with an eye on Jordan’s situation this summer.
La Liga side Alavés have already had a loan proposal knocked back after failing to meet Sevilla’s wage demands.
Greek side Olympiakos – who are managed by Jordan’s former boss José Luis Mendilibar – are another said to be interested.
Similarly to Rangers and Alavés, the Piraeus club but would need part of the player’s contract to be covered by Sevilla.
Rangers face transfer competition
Joan Jordan certainly boasts an interesting profile as far as Rangers are concerned.
On paper the technical number 8 looks a solid replacement for the influence of Steven Davis at Ibrox and could provide genuine quality and experience in the middle of the park.
Whilst some fans might be concerned about Jordan’s downturn in form at Sevilla in recent seasons, at 30-years-old the one-time Arsenal target should still be head and shoulders above the average Scottish midfield set-up.
What’s clear is that Jordan will be moving on from Sevilla this summer, it’s just unclear where his next destination is going to be.
The reports come at an interesting juncture for Rangers and just after Philippe Clement appealed for ‘extra quality’ ahead of the Champions League qualifiers.
The Ibrox manager is clear that Rangers will need added quality and numbers to navigate the qualifiers and Jordan represents an ambitious move.
“We need extra bodies and extra quality to be successful,” said Clement when asked if his current squad is good enough to reach the Champions League group stage.
“I always believe that with your squad you can succeed, because otherwise, you cannot get results against Real Madrid with a team like Brugge.
“Everyone said that was impossible. But if you don’t believe it is possible, it will never happen.
“So it’s about the mindset of the players. They must believe in themselves and be hungry to become better because it’s not only about quality, it’s about work rate, it’s about mentality, it’s about what you do every day. I’ve seen players that are now better than they were six months ago.
“We’ve been working hard for that kind of mindset in all the players who have come in. We want them all ambitious to become better and with all the staff together we can give them the tools to become better.
“So in that way, I believe that with whatever squad we have at that moment will have the ability to qualify. But everybody needs to be at their top and the more quality you have, the better your chance.”
