Rangers have completed their first signing of the summer with Jefte’s arrival being one that was a long time coming.
Fabrizio Romano broke news of interest in the Brazilian during the January transfer window when it seemed certain that Ridvan Yilmaz was returning to Turkey and that a summer deal was on the cards.
After a surprise announcement, details of the deal have emerged with Rangers taking a new approach to secure Jefte as the squad rebuild for next season begins.
Rangers get creative with Jefte transfer deal
Philippe Clement has spoken about wanting a leaner, younger and more dynamic squad, and it is a sentiment echoed by recruitment director Nils Koppen after the 20-year old was revealed at Auchenhowie:
“Firstly, I would like to welcome Jefté to the club, he is a player we have been interested in for a number of months and it is fantastic to have him join the club.
“We are planning for the future, and young talented players, like Jefté, will be crucial in that.
“We are working hard behind the scenes, and it is hugely positive for us, and for Philippe and his coaching staff, that we have been able to begin business early as we prepare for the 2024/25 season.”
It’s encouraging that, after the initial deal fell through, that Rangers continued to track Jefte and saw enough to go back again.
With a busy summer ahead, Koppen knows that he doesn’t have an infinite budget and the Central Fluminense podcast has provided an encouraging update on how much the left-back is going to cost:
“Rangers will pay 800 thousand euros (around R$4.4 million) for 80% of Jefté’s economic rights.
“Fluminense will still keep 20% of the full-back.”
Jefte just the start for Rangers new signing policy
Clement has spoken recently about getting value for money and making sure that it is quality that is acquired, not just quantity.
The Gers boss is right in that it isn’t always the most expensive players who are the best either and finding hidden gems could be key in this transfer window.
Rangers have clearly compromised to get Jefte in earlier and rather than having a European style sell on clause, Fluminense still ‘own’ 20% of the young defender.
Reading what Koppen has said, there seems to be a real harmony in terms of what direction the club is going in and Jefte is a prime example of that.
He is tall, powerful, fast, comfortable in possession and with all the basics needed to become a valuable asset.
If he doesn’t progress as expected, he is still at a level where he can be a good squad player without having set Rangers back millions of pounds.
Jefte might be the first through the door, but he certainly won’t be the last with this type of profile or with a deal that Rangers have been creative in putting together.
