There was a brief moment, earlier in the January transfer window, when a Rangers target from the recent past appeared to become an option for the present.
Shortly before Rafael Fernandes arrived on a loan deal from LOSC Lille, much to Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen’s delight, Rangers were again linked with a move for a talented young defender who reportedly caught their eye two years previously.
Kevin Mantilla was allegedly on the Ibrox radar for a second time, according to speculation out of South America.
How true those reports really were is anyone’s guess. It is certainly accurate that Rangers wanted a young, athletic, talented central defender with bags of potential and plenty of re-sale value. Enter Rafael Fernandes.
And Kevin Mantilla would have ticked many of those boxes too.
Kevin Mantilla will not be joining Rangers as he stays in South America
The Colombia Under-20 international is 6ft 3ins – the same height as Fernandes – and he won’t even celebrate his 22nd birthday until May. A birthday he now looks set to celebrate in his homeland of Colombia.
Because, with Rangers out of the market for defensive reinforcements following the arrival of Fernandes, Mantilla is now expected to swap Argentine outfit CA Talleres for Independiente Medellin instead.
“He was always [Independiente Medellin]s plan A,” explains reporter Juan Felipe Cadavid. “After getting the go-ahead from Talleres and having the player’s high willingness, who also had offers from other teams, the signing is one step away from being completed.
“If it is finalised, it would be an extraordinary addition. A top-level player.”
Mantilla may not have blossomed in Argentina as some initially expected following his £1.8 million move from Santa Fe – he made only five league appearances for Talleres last term and spent much of the season stuck on the bench – but his talent is not in question.
Talleres president Andres Fassi confirmed that Liverpool and Brighton wanted Kevin Mantilla back in 2023, after all. Two clubs renowned for unearthing diamonds in the rough.
“It’s true, they [Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion] have been following him for four months now,” Fassi admitted. “And they asked us for information about his physical records.”
Mantilla will now be hoping that a return to Colombia can be the spark he needs to reignite his career and get clubs like Liverpool, Brighton and Rangers interested once again.
Rafael Fernandes hoping to make Rangers debut after joining from Lille
Speaking of Rangers, there could be debutant in Philippe Clement’s team during Sunday’s Scottish Premiership meeting with Ross County.
Rangers insiders are describing Rafael Fernandes as an ‘unreal’ talent, with the Lille loanee making quite the impression on the training pitch. A first appearance in Gers colours may be on the cards with John Souttar only just back from injury while Leon King’s return to the starting XI ended early on against Union Saint Gilloise as he picked up a nasty concussion.
”I’m very happy,” Clement said of Fernandes earlier this month. “We believe in his potential. He’s not somebody who will be directly ready. He played almost nothing in the last year, but the scouting team saw him play the year before in Portugal. I saw also several games of that.
”He’s showing several attributes. He’s fast, he can do good passing, he’s powerful, he’s young and athletic.
”We get good information in Lille also with players who were training with him.”
