When Nils Koppen came into Rangers, there was plenty of transfer talk about emerging markets.
The appointment of Koppen, who had established himself at PSV, is viewed as a step towards a more active and aggressive approach to player trading and transfers.
The Ibrox side’s chairman John Bennett – in words which he will be judged by come the end of his tenure at the top of the club – claimed the so-called “fourth pillar” would be getting fortified on his watch.
Until now, but for a few reinforced deadbolts left behind by the sales of Nathan Patterson and Calvin Bassey, it had shown signs of decay.
What this means is a more global approach to scouting and recruitment for Rangers, who will hope to snare top talents from South America, Scandinavia, Africa and Asia before they break through into a top five league in Europe.
The club’s increasing Belgian colony are tasked with doing just that.
In that vein, Brazil is a hotbed of talent and the latest reports suggest Rangers have their eye on two players from one of the country’s premier Rio de Janeiro clubs.
Jefte to Rangers transfer off?
Fluminense left-back Jefte – who is currently on loan at APOEL Nicosia in Cyprus – was strongly linked to Rangers in January.
With doubts surrounding the futures of both Borna Barisic (who appears Trabzonspor bound this summer) and Ridvan Yilmaz (who was the subject of interest from Galatasaray), Jefte was strongly expected to come into the club.
The left-back was even absent from training as he tried to force through a move to Glasgow.
But when both the Rangers left-backs remained beyond January, and a deal fell apart over APOEL’s £500k early release demands, all the sounds were that the Ibrox side would go back in this summer.
Out of contract at Fluminense, the 20-year-old high potential full-back could be signed on the cheap with a view to developing in Glasgow.
But the latest around the kid suggests that whilst Rangers may well be interested in Jefte, APOEL aren’t going to let him leave without a fight.
The Cypriot club’s president has been clear on a local radio show that APOEL are pursuing a permanent deal for Jefte this summer, suggesting the Brazilian is open to to the switch.
“It’s not forbidden,” said Prodromos Petrides when asked about a move for the Brazilian. “Just with the financial tightness that we have now – look, we’re doing everything we can to secure a deal to stay.
“He’s already sold, let me put it this way. We have suggestions (for Fluminese). We want to let him stay, we want to buy him.”
Fluminense winger Jhon Arias linked to Ibrox
Jefte isn’t the only Fluminense player being linked with a move to Rangers.
Colombian winger Jhon Arias – who was a part of the Brazilian side when they lifted the Copa Libertadores last year – is another name strongly linked to Rangers.
Whilst early links appeared to be quashed by the price tag attached to any deal, the 26-year-old was again being linked to Rangers just this week.
According to journalist Christian Martin – who was conducting an interview with AS this week – there are several suitors for Jhon Arias in Europe.
This includes the likes of Atlético Madrid and Sevilla in La Liga, West Ham, Burnley, Wolverhampton & Crystal Palace in the Premier League, and Zenit St Petersburg in Russia.
But also slipping Rangers’ name into the equation, apparently the winger could be available for a transfer fee of €10m (£8.5m) with a sell-on this summer.
“Rangers of Scotland would also be one of those interested in a player with good footing, with experience, with speed, with good management of small spaces, with definition and with that technique has had implications for European football,” explains Martin.
