Fluminense full-back Jefte could be available for a knockdown fee, freeing up any Ridvan Yilmaz funds to be spent on other areas of the Rangers squad.
Rangers are expecting to be “busy” all the way up to the “final seconds” of the window according to Philippe Clement, as the Belgian puts his imprint on the squad.
Left-back has been an area of substantial concern, with upheaval mooted in the position due to strong links between Galatasaray and Ridvan Yilmaz.
Rangers in turn have been linked with 20-year-old Brazilian left-back Jefte as replacement, but the latest from loan club APOEL Nicosia will turn Ibrox heads.
Jefte available for knockdown transfer fee
The Gers are said to be in negotiations with the Cypriots surrounding Jefte, who they want to sign from Fluminense this January despite the loan contract with APOEL.
APOEL are also one of 11 Cypriot clubs who cannot sign players permanently due to FIFA sanctions over unpaid debts in the country’s game.
Now, the club’s chairman Prodromos Petrides has claimed that the £400k transfer fee to sign Jefte is “not prohibitive” as he makes clear APOEL would rather complete the transfer themselves.
“The amount to buy Jefte is not prohibitive, but it can’t be done at the moment because of the embargo restrictions we have now,” said Petrides.
“We want to make sure he stays until the summer and hopefully buy him then. The club would love to sign him permanently.”
Potential Ridvan Yilmaz Rangers funds boost
Rangers meanwhile could be set to bank big on the sale of Ridvan Yilmaz after Galatasaray raked in around £25m from the sale of Sacha Boey to Bayern.
The Turkish outfit’s links to the 22-year-old Rangers left-back have dominated the window to date amid reports the Gers have already rejected two bids.
But with reports also suggesting Rangers value Ridvan Yilmaz anywhere up to €6m (£5.1m), the notion Jefte could be signed for £400k will interest fans.
That leaves around £4.7m in the green to spend on other areas of the squad with an attacking type who can play across the front three very much in the club’s sights.
Colombian winger Oscar Cortes – currently of Lens in France – is the latest name doing the rounds as the club reportedly close in on a loan to buy.
Rangers have also been strongly linked with a striker, with the fees left over from the sale of Ridvan Yilmaz surely more than enough to complete the signing of Lawrence Shankland.
