Philippe Clement will know that this summer’s transfer window is a crucial one at Rangers.
With as many as six Rangers first-teamers out of contract in the coming months, and three loan players coming to the end of their short term deals, there are some big decisions to be made.
With some high-earners in the team also still not contributing anywhere near enough, one suspects talk of a summer transfer overhaul is not just chatter.
But one player who appears to be a genuine target for Rangers is RC Lens loanee Oscar Cortes, who joined the club on loan in January.
However, a devastating injury, and subsequent surgery, has seen Rangers renege on the original loan-to-buy agreement with the Ibrox club back at the negotiating table with the Ligue 1 side.
Now, the latest reports coming out of South America claim that a deal for the winger could be struck in the ‘coming days’, meaning Cortes is potentially set to become Rangers’ first signing of the summer.
Cortes could be Rangers’ first signing of summer
Let’s go back to when this latest round of reports surrounding Oscar Cortes and Rangers kicked off.
Philippe Clement got everyone talking about the potential transfer of the 20-year-old Colombian winger when he admitted that discussions were under way with RC Lens.
Also revealing that Rangers are negotiating a fresh deal with the player’s injury situation in mind, it’s certainly had plenty in South America generating reports.
“We are talking with Lens about what the situation is because in this situation it is a different situation from when he was fit,” said Clement.
“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.”
This then led to a report from a leading ESPN journalist in South America claiming that Rangers were on the ‘right track’ to striking a fresh loan agreement for the ex-FC Millonarios forward.
Lens forked out around €4.5m (£3.8m) to sign the winger only last summer and whilst things didn’t work out in France, the young Colombian is highly rated.
Now, a fresh report in Colombian outlet Canal has provided an update on Rangers’ pursuit of Oscar Cortes, and claims that the Ibrox club could have an agreement within days.
An excerpt from the report reads: “The Rangers board considers that the price for the player’s continuity must be adequate.
“Thus, it is expected that in the coming days conversations will take place between both clubs to determine whether Cortes will remain at Rangers or return to France.”
Another excerpt then suggested Oscar could be Rangers’ first signing of the summer: “The next few days will be crucial to define the future of Oscar Cortes and know if he will continue his career at Rangers or if he will return to Lens in France.
“The player’s followers and fans of the Scottish team will be attentive to the news generated around this situation, which could have an outcome in the coming days.”
Loan Rangers to command sizeable fees
Oscar Cortes certainly looked bright after joining Rangers and the injury to the winger did come as a substantial blow.
In fact, injuries have become something of a tired shackle on the progress of Rangers this season and continue to hamper the club heading into the final furlong.
If Rangers are to bring Oscar Cortes to Ibrox, a cut-price deal or a loan extension appears the only likely avenues which manager Philippe Clement and the club will progress down.
There are also decisions to be taken on Abdallah Sima and Fabio Silva heading into the summer window.
Whilst Brighton appear willing to do business over the £6m Senegalese forward, Fabio Silva looks set to head back to Wolves.
If both Cortes and Sima wind up in Glasgow next season, then they must be more regularly available if the club is to seriously challenge at the top of the Premiership.
Especially given the sorts of price tags attached to both players.
