Despite weeks of speculation, there remains a sense of uncertainty about what the next step really is for Rangers’ £3.2 million transfer target.
Reports last week suggested that the much-coveted 22-year-old was on his way to the Scottish Premiership despite rival interest from Turkey, France and England.
In stark contrast, however, rival claims emerged on Tuesday night suggesting that a man at the top of Rangers‘ summer wishlist is ‘very close’ to putting pen to paper with Norwich City instead.
So, when it comes to Jose Cordoba, the best thing to do is to wait and see how things develop over the coming 24, 48 or 72 hours.
One thing that is certain, however, is Rangers will be getting themselves a centre-half of real quality and potential should the highly-rated Panama international end up in Glasgow after all.
Tsanko Tsvetanov, the former Bulgaria international who worked with Cordoba at Levski Sofia, feels that the left-footed, jet-heeled central defender has both the technical and the physical attributes to thrive under Philippe Clement.
Rangers hope to sign Levski Sofia’s Jose Cordoba
“Jose is a player who will have a fantastic future if he goes to the correct club,” Tsvetanov, who spent two years at Aberdeen in the 1990s, tells Scottish Sun. “I mean absolutely no disrespect to Rangers when I say this. It’s a massive club in what I know is a wonderful football country.
“But Jose is a player who will be aiming to play in the Premier League in England. And if he develops the way he has, I believe he will.”
Rangers, who have already brought in left-back Jefte Vital from Fluminense, are aiming to add another defensive southpaw to their ranks, perhaps with Ben Davies’ injury-hit 2023/24 campaign in mind.
Cordoba was recently named the Defender of the Year in the Bulgarian top flight, and should add extra depth and balance to a Rangers backline who still have a worrying tendency to implode in high-pressure situations.
Philippe Clement’s side star the summer fast
“What I noticed immediately (about Cordoba) were two things,” Tsvetanov adds. “He was left-footed — and you always notice guys who are left-footed — and how quick he was. He had good technique but he was really determined to learn and be better than he was.
“In his time at Levski, he improved a lot. And, in 2023, he was named the best defender in the league in Bulgaria.
“Working there, we improved his confidence on the ball, what to do in one-on-ones, when to step forward. We worked on his strength as well and he now has a great body for a central defender
“Being picked for his national team was another step in his progress and I think now is the correct time for him to leave Bulgaria.
“I know there were clubs in Russia and Turkey interested in signing him but going to Scotland and continuing to improve is probably good for him at this stage in his career.”
Tsvetanov adds that Cordoba ‘speaks excellent English’, something that should help him settle in British football regardless of whether it is Rangers he ends up at or Norwich instead.
In addition to the imposing Central American, Rangers are also pursuing the likes of Orlando Pirates teenager Relebohile Mofokeng and free-agent goalkeeper Liam Kelly.
