In the space of just a few hours, Rangers supporters received updates straight from the horse’s mouth about the future of two of their summer targets.
Well, straight from the manager’s mouths, really.
Amid claims that Rangers have cooled their interest in the £3.2 million Panama international centre-half Jose Cordoba, Levski Sofia’s new head coach Slanislav Genchev provided an insight into where the discussions are at regarding the much-coveted defender.
“Jose Cordoba is not sold yet,” Genchev tells Bulgarian publication Gerena. “(There are) talks with a club, but no deal yet. It is not pleasant for any coach to have his best defender sold.
“Cordoba is still a Levski player. If he is sold, we have to find a player in his place. I know from experience that one of the most difficult things is to find a central defender, a left-sided player.”
Rangers now pursuing to Thomas Galdames
Rangers appear to have turned their focus to Thomas Galdames after growing frustrated in their pursuit of Cordoba.
Despite spending much of his career at left-back, Galdames has made no secret of the fact he prefers to play in the centre. The Chilean’s versatility is likely to appeal to Rangers boss Philippe Clement, of course.
A central role may be Galdames favoured spot but, while providing two assists on what may be his final Godoy Cruz appearance in midweek, it seems a waste not to make full use of the 25-year-old’s fine crossing ability.
“He has had a great year,” Godoy coach Daniel Oldra sighed after that 4-0 hammering of El Porvedir in the Copa Argentina. “I know I’m going to lose him.”
Oldra appears to have accepted defeat in his desire to hang onto Galdames. But Godoy Cruz vice president Juan Mansur insists that there are still a lot of i’s to be dotted and t’s to be crossed before Galdames can join his fellow South American and his fellow left-footer Jefte Vital at Ibrox.
Godoy Cruz chief opens up on Rangers links
“We plan to bring reinforcements. (But it is) not easy. It will depend a lot on who stays and who goes,” Mansur tells Diario Uno. “We are going to bring in reinforcements thinking about the immediate and also the future.”
Mansur confirms that Godoy Cruz midfielder Tomas Conechny is in talks to leave, but he is the only player they have received an offer for or opened discussions with. And that includes Galdames.
“We have not had specific offers for any other player,” the vice-president confirms.
A departure still feels inevitable, however, especially with Galdames entering the final few months of his contract. The former Union Espinola man is due to become a free-agent in December.
Rangers, meanwhile, made Jefte their first signing of what is likely to be a busy summer of incomings and outgoings last week. The former Fluminense youngster could replace the seemingly Trabzonspor-bound Borna Barisic.
“Jefte is an exciting young defender,” Clement tells the official Rangers website. “I am delighted that he has joined our squad so early in the summer period. He has already shown he is a player of great quality and potential and I am confident he can play a big part in our squad moving forward.
“I look forward to working with him in the months to come.”
