Jefte has been left out of the APOEL Nicosia squad with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Scottish Premiership giants Rangers have suddenly agreed a deal to bring the Fluminense loanee to Ibrox.
On the same day that Rangers officially confirmed the signing of former FC Nordsjaelland midfielder Mohamed Diomande, it seems that January addition number three will is not too far behind.
Rangers, Fabrizio Romano reports on X, have agreed a deal with Fluminense to bring the highly-rated Jefte to Glasgow. The promising 20-year-old will sign a contract until the summer of 2027, and brings an end to the club’s pursuit of a new left-sided full-back.
Jefte is currently on loan at APOEL in Cyprus. He was supposed to stay there for until the summer too. According to Cypriot publication Balla, however, the talented, dead-ball specialist has suddenly been left out of the squad for Friday night’s clash with Neo Salamina, with that impending switch to Rangers the reason for his absence.
Rangers agree deal with Fluminense for Jefte
Jefte, an attack-minded full-back, has seven goals or assists in 20 appearances for the Nicosia-based outfit. It remains to be seen whether his arrival – following in the footsteps of Diomande and Fabio Silva – will open the door for Ridvan Yilmaz to depart. Rumours surrounding a return to Turkey are still swirling around the former Besiktas youngster.
Galatasaray, the club most frequently linked with Yilmaz, confirmed this week – via their head coach Okan Buruk – that signing left-back is the ‘priority’ ahead of the final two weeks of the Super Lig transfer window.
Brazilian starlet could replace Ridvan Yilmaz
“I think there’s still a chance he could have a future. If they don’t get a replacement, then I’d find it strange they’d let Ridvan Yilmaz walk out the door,” Ibrox icon Neil McCann told BBC SportScene after the 22-year-old opened the scoring in the 3-0 midweek win at Hibernian.
The seemingly imminent arrival of Jefte, then, should ease McCann’s concerns about Rangers being left dangerously short of options on the flank.
“I think the boy (Yilmaz) is maybe looking for a move because of his lack of use. I think he’s struggled to find consistency and freedom of injury,” McCann adds.
“If the opportunity comes for the boy to go back to Turkey, which is the suggestion with Galatasaray, I think he’ll take it.”
