You can usually judge the quality of a player by the standard of clubs looking to sign him. That certainly rings true with a winger reportedly on the radar of Rangers, but one who looks destined to end up securing a big-money move to a club with a bit more money in the bank instead.
According to reports coming out of Italy today, the ‘sirens’ are sounding in Europe.
If Rangers‘ chances did not look slim already – the Ibrox-linked forward valued at the kind of fee that surely places him well beyond Philippe Clement’s reach at a reported £17 million – then interest from one of Spanish football’s biggest clubs, the Turkish champions-elect, and the most well-heeled club in Russia could yet spark a bidding war which tips that price-tag over the £20 million marker.
Jhon Arias feels like a pipe dream for Rangers
According to Tuttomercatoweb, Sevilla, Galatasaray and Zenit St-Petersburg have all made ‘concrete approaches’ for Fluminense ace Jhon Arias. The Copa Libertadores winners will have known, deep down, that this day was coming too.
Fluminense rejected a £10.5 million bid from Zenit in 2023 but the Russian giants have never shown an intention of backing down.
Zenit, interestingly, have already snapped up one of Arias’ former La Flu team-mates, beating Nottingham Forest to centre-back Nuno. The St Petersburg outfit also raided Corinthians and Palmeiras for Artur and Pedro, and previously paid big money to bring in the one-time Wolves and West Ham target Yuri Alberto from Brazil too.
Arias, 11 goals and 17 assists in 2023, looks likely to be in the next cab off the rank, with another of Brazilian football’s ‘best players’ expected to try his hand at European football.
“Jhon is a focused, committed and calm player,” Arias’ agent Alex Viveros said a few months back, also confirming the ‘interest’ of clubs in England’s top flight.
“Arias is one of the best players in Brazilian football; (A league) considered one of the most difficult championships in the world. Therefore, it is not surprising that he has aroused the interest of several Premier League teams.
“Jhon’s future will depend on the opportunities and needs of clubs abroad.”
Raphael Borges Rodrigues an Ibrox target
With loanees Abdallah Sima and Fabio Silva facing uncertain futures, Rangers are expected to be in the market for a winger this summer. But if Arias is a pipe dream, then Raphael Borges Rodrigues feels like a far more realistic option.
The 20-year-old MacArthur FC whizzkid is one of the brightest rising stars down under in Australia. Raphael’s agent also confirmed the prospect of a move to Scotland this week, albeit without mentioning Rangers by name.
“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.”
Read more: Rangers confirmed signings, transfers in and out, loan exits, releases for 2023/24
