It is a problem that most clubs operating outside of Europe’s elite leagues tend to run into at one point or another. Only this time, it is Rangers and the Scottish Premiership taking on the role of a big shark, snacking on smaller fish and baring their superior financial teeth.
According to reports, Rangers are closing in on their first signing of the summer transfer window already. It is only the second week of May, and Philippe Clement‘s side still have two trophies to fight for, and two Old Firm derbies to contend with.
But like in the winter, when they sealed a loan deal for Wolves forward Fabio Silva three days before the Hogmanay celebrations, Rangers are once again taking launching themselves two-footed at the transfer market in the hope of stealing a march on a number of rival clubs in pursuit of their top targets.
Rangers in advanced talks to sign Jose Cordoba
And there is certainly no shortage of ‘rival clubs’ chasing Jose Cordoba. The £3 million-rated Levski Sofia defender has reportedly caught the eye of teams based in Turkey and France, to name but two.
Rangers, however, have now entered advanced talks over a deal that would see Cordoba move to Ibrox instead, according to Rangers Review. Still only 22, Cordoba won the Bulgarian Cup with Levski Sofia in 2022 and was recently named the ‘Best Defender‘ in the top-flight.
And, with his contract expiring next year, Levski Sofia seem powerless to stand in his way. Not that they were likely to anyway. The club’s majority owner, Nasko Sirakov, told Darik Radio only a few weeks ago that the capital city club would not prevent Cordoba from sealing a dream transfer, saying that Levski had no ‘moral right’ to deny him a shot at progress.
Now, with that day seemingly arriving, Rangers are unlikely to face much opposition from Cordoba’s current employers, provided they meet his asking price of course.
“There is serious interest in our players,” Sirakov said. “We may have to sign more than five new ones (to replace those who are departing).
“I do not sell cheap. (But) Jose, if he continues to perform like this, we will not have the moral right to keep him.
“There is a very serious interest in him. I had a conversation with him. I told him to think about the next (few) games and the preparations for the Copa America. Leave the rest to the club.”
Levski Sofia will not stand in defneder’s way
In March, Cordoba became the youngest ever non-Bulgarian player to captain Levski Sofia in a competitive game.
The one-time Celta Vigo youngster is likely to be the first f many first-team additions at Rangers this summer, especially with Ryan Jack, John Lundstram and Borna Barisic out of contract, with Fabio Silva and Abdallah Sima only on loan.
Transfer number two could potentially come from Australia. The agent of Raphael Borges Rodrigues, a potential Sima or Silva replacement on the left wing, admitted this week that a summer exit is likely while hinting at a switch to Ibrox.
“There is definitely interest from clubs in England, Scotland and also in mainland Europe,” Fahid Ben Khalfallah tells FTBL.
Interestingly, the report adds that Ben Khalfallah recently returned to Australia from the UK, although FTBL do not confirm if that trip was made with transfer talks in mind.
“He’s still contracted with Macarthur for next season and has a lot of respect for them. The way things stand, I imagine he’s a player who will be moving to Europe in the near future,” the agent adds.
“I really like him and believe he’s one of the best young talents in Australia, especially in terms of skill and mentality. He has big potential and what also makes a big difference is his work ethic and attitude off the field.”
