Of all the transfer links to Rangers so far heading into the summer, Jose Cordoba has always appeared the closest to completion.
The Panamanian centre-back, 22, has impressed during a three-and-a-half year stint with Bulgarian side Levski Sofia and there have been links to Rangers stretching back to the turn of the year.
Journalists in Panama pointed towards Rangers interest, with the Ibrox side said to be facing competition from France, Turkey and Belgium.
But amid reports the Gers are in ‘advanced talks’ with Jose Cordoba – and claims the club gave the centre-back the Ibrox treatment against Kilmarnock – this link looks increasingly concrete.
And now the latest coming out of Bulgaria has suggested that Rangers are closing in on a deal for Jose Cordoba and are even ready to pay over the odds to get him into Ibrox.
Rangers to pay ‘more money’ for Cordoba
According to Bulgarian publication Blitz, Rangers and Levski Sofia are in ‘final negotiations’ over the transfer.
Citing information they’ve sourced from Panama, the report claims that Jose Cordoba has a pre-agreement to join Rangers with the two clubs now thrashing out the particulars of the move.
Interestingly, the report claims that Rangers will pay £3.2m to sign the centre-back, a fee which is ‘more money’ than Levski Sofia originally hoped to recoup for the defender.
It’s a figure which will turn heads as Rangers look to rebuild their squad under Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen this summer.
The Gers are eager to strike deals for young players with high potential who could potentially be shifted on for moneyspinning profits and the club appear to believe Jose Cordoba fits that profile.
Should a transfer go through, the deal to bring Cordoba to Glasgow would be Rangers’ first signing of what promises to be a busy window in Govan.
Rangers transfer links ramp up
The sounds around this deal certainly appear to be getting louder and louder.
Whilst the reaction to Jose Cordoba potentially joining Rangers has been mixed in the player’s native Panama, Levski Sofia have never put up roadblocks on a deal being completed.
In fact the Bulgarian club’s president has previously claimed that it would be morally unfair to hold Jose Cordoba back from a big move many feel the centre-back has earned.
Rangers manager Philippe Clement has also been clear that the club are trying to strike a balance between exciting young players and experienced heads in the upcoming window.
This comes with Rangers being linked to a number of exciting talents from around the globe.
Brazilian left-back Jefte continues to be linked to the Gers, whilst Malian winger Adama Traore and South African midfielder Relebohile Mofokeng have been subject to prominent reporting.
Recently, Rangers were also linked with a move for exciting Kosovan forward Albion Rrahmani but the reported asking price of current club Rapid Bucharest could be a stumbling block.
With one more game to come this season, Rangers will contest the Scottish Cup Final against Celtic and then something tells us the revolving door at Ibrox is about to open.
Whilst it’s not confirmed until the scarf is hoisted high above his head, Jose Cordoba certainly looks increasingly likely to be the first to walk through it.
