There are few players at Rangers who Philippe Clement wouldn’t consider selling, especially when almost every position needs attention.
It looked like the manager and Nils Koppen had secured Jose Cordoba to go with the signing of Jefte until, out of nowhere, the deal broke down.
As one name gets ruled out, another emerges though and Thomas Galdames is said to be close to finalising a move to Europe with Rangers at the head of the queue according to sources in South America, but does this mean one current squad member’s days could be numbered?
Thomas Galdames link could see Rangers exit for Ridvan Yilmaz
Looking at what South American football journalist Nathan Joyes said about the 25-year old Chilean defender, it raises one obvious question:
“Godoy Cruz’s Thomas Galdames (25) linked with a move to Rangers FC.
“The Chilean left-back is comfortable with both feet, confident in the final third and can produce a good delivery, both in-play and from set pieces.
“Also played his part in a defence which hasn’t conceded many in 2024.”
With one left-back already signed in Jefte, why would Rangers need another?
Injury history could be deciding factor in Clement transfer plan
Galdames, like Calvin Bassey, is equally as comfortable at centre-half as he is at left-back but is stronger on his ‘weak’ foot.
This versatility makes him an attractive proposition; however, it looks like Philippe Clement’s policy of moving on players with dubious injury histories is well under way.
The Gers boss has spoken on several occasions about how frustrated he is with the injury situation at the club and certain players who can’t stay fit.
Neither Jefte nor Galdames have missed any football through in senior football which, compared to the current pair of Borna Barisic and Ridvan Yilmaz, will be music to Clement’s ears.
Barisic is reported to be joining Trabzonspor and Ridvan, despite a purple patch in the new year, has been linked with a return to Turkey in every transfer window since he joined.
Up until deadline day in January, there were stories suggesting that the 23-year old was heading back to his homeland.
It would be more of a surprise to see him still at Rangers when the window shuts in the summer.
One of the accusations thrown at Ridvan is that he simply isn’t physical enough to cope with Scottish football.
It’s not that, it’s more that he does his best work with the ball rather than without it.
What doesn’t help his cause is that he needs a run of games to get up to speed only to get injured shortly after.
Clement could well see Galdames as a centre-half and this is an inaccurate assumption, but with two players who can play left-back either signed or potentially on their way, the writing appears to be on the wall for a player who has divided opinion since the day he arrived.
