Rangers have an obvious problem in the forward line and Philippe Clement will make addressing it a priority in the summer.
The manager is currently having to make do with a right-back and striker as his two wide options after a January swoop didn’t quite go to plan.
When Rangers signed Oscar Cortes, it looked like Philippe Clement had finally upgraded a position that had been in desperate need of quality for some time with the gaffer revealing what the chances of the Colombian returning to Ibrox are.
Rangers in talks to for Oscar Cortes transfer
The 20-year old arrived from Lens and instantly looked a step above anything at the club.
Capable of playing on either wing, Cortes is happy driving to the by-line or cutting inside to shoot.
Cortes had been on Rangers radar for some time apparently but it was Nils Koppen’s attendance at a TransferRoom conference that got the deal done.
The Rangers director of recruitment had clearly done his homework when Cortes was announced:
“Oscar had been on our radar for a long time and was one of the best performers at the South American under-20 Championship. He quickly became an important player for Millonarios in the Copa Libertadores and made the move to Europe.
“Through good contacts, further analysis and our belief in his talent, we are pleased to seize this moment to sign him.
“With his pace, goal threat and technical level he will give us more options on the wing and working with our manager we believe we can take his development to the next level.”
It’s a deal that, despite Cortes missing the rest of the season, Philippe Clement has given an exciting update on:
“We are talking with Lens about what the situation is because in this situation it is a different situation from when he was fit.
“At the moment he was fit he was showing the right things, but it was really short term. Then it needs to be at the right price.”
When the Gers boss was asked if another loan deal was possible, he said:
“That is something to discuss. We will see what is said in the talks with Lens. I cannot say just now.”
Could Rangers look to change future Cortes deal
What seems to be clear is that Philippe Clement is keen on bringing Oscar Cortes back to Rangers, if the price is right.
The biggest question will be on his recovery from hamstring surgery.
Any muscle injury that requires surgical intervention will always leave a degree of scar tissue and increase the risk of re-injury.
With Lens still having Cortes on a long-term deal, the well-worn path of a loan-to-buy agreement could be one that works out best for all parties.
Oscar Cortes didn’t take any time to settle when he arrived at Rangers which suggests, given more time, he will only improve.
As Clement said though, the goalposts have moved and caution has to be taken.
