Rangers will not be signing left back David Jurasek after Bundesliga club Hoffenheim confirmed the signing of the Benfica misfit.
Rangers appear to be closing in on one new signing with Norsdjaelland playmaker Mohamed Diomande on the verge of a move to Ibrox.
Philippe Clement may want more additions before the window closes though and one key position of interest is left back.
Borna Barisic is into the final stages of his contract at the club and Ridvan Yilmaz continues to attract interest from elsewhere.
Rangers have been linked with a whole host of left backs this month but one more name can join Kai Wagner on the pile of left backs to forget about…
Rangers officially miss out on David Jurasek
Reports last week suggested that Rangers were in the race to sign Benfica left back David Jurasek.
Bundesliga clubs were also keen but Rangers were in a ‘strong’ position to sign Jurasek according to one report last week.
However, hopes began to dwindle on Thursday as Fabrizio Romano claimed that Jurasek was on his way to Germany with Hoffenheim, in a loan move with a £10.3million option to buy.
The news is now official with Hoffenheim confirming earlier today (Monday) that Jurasek has signed on loan until the summer.
Hoffenheim didn’t confirm whether they have a purchase option in the deal but there may well be an option for him to stay in Germany.
Hoffenheim seem delighted with the deal as managing director Alexander Rosen is quoted as saying that Jurasek is a ‘fast’ and ‘extremely dynamic’ left back.
Director of football Pirmin Schwegler has called Jurasek an ‘enormous presence’, believing that he can cause mayhem with his crosses into the box.
“David is an extremely dynamic full-back who we were already interested in in the summer,” said Rosen. “However, a commitment could not be realized at this point. He is fast, strong offensively and can be used variably on the left side in various basic orders. Julian Justvan’s loan was also subject to the condition that we could gain another strong alternative for our squad. We are convinced that we have found this solution in David and are pleased that he will play for us at least in the second half of the current season,” he added.
“David is a strong-willed and competitive player who will significantly increase the competition within our squad with his qualities. He hits dangerous and hard-to-defend crosses and, despite being only 23 years old, already impresses with his enormous presence on the pitch. He will definitely be good for our team with his character and athletic abilities,’ said Schwegler.
Jurasek only joined Benfica from Slavia Prague over the summer but has struggled for first-team action in Lisbon.
Now heading to Germany, Jurasek must attempt to get back on track and show that he is worth signing on a permanent basis.
Rangers were never likely to strike a deal with a permanent option of around £10million, but it may be wise to keep tabs on his progress in Germany, just in case a summer deal becomes possible.
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