After Rangers cooled their interest in a signing that could have set them back just over £3 million, Philippe Clement’s Premiership runners-up wasted little time turning their attention to an alternative.
While new Levski Sofia coach Stanislav Genchev confirms that Jose Cordoba is in ‘talks’ to leave the Bulgarian giants this summer, it appears increasingly unlikely that Rangers will be his destination.
The Ibrox outfit entered advanced negotiations a fortnight ago. But amid interest from south of the border – Norwich City are also in the race – Rangers appear to have accepted that they may be attempting to climb a mountain in slippers, instead returning to base camp and going all in on Thomas Galdames.
Despite featuring more often than not as a left-back for Godoy Cruz, Galdames – like Cordoba – sees himself more as a left-sided central defender. With Ben Davies missing most of the campaign through injury and John Souttar right-footed, Rangers are keen to add defensive southpaws to their ranks.
Rangers pursuing Godoy Cruz ace Thomas Galdames
Galdames appeared to say his goodbyes to the Godoy Cruz supporters after providing two assists in the 4-0 midweek win over El Porvenir. The 25-year-old Chilean is out of contract in December, and is likely to be available for less than the £3.2 million Levski Sofia want for Cordoba.
But, when breaking his silence on those Rangers links, Galdames kept his cards close his chest.
“I don’t know anything about my transfer yet,” the former Union Espanola man says, via Vavel and the Daily Record.
“I prefer not to say anything about it. I don’t want to say anything until something is concrete because there has been a lot of speculation. The transfer market begins now, but I have to concentrate on the national team.”
Galdames, who is expected to make his senior Chile debut against Paraguay on Wednesday, would become the second left-footed South American defender to join Rangers this summer already. Jefte Vital was finally confirmed a few days ago, The Gers belatedly getting their mitts on a man they initially tried to sign from Fluminense in January.
Galdames, meanwhile, will only leave Godoy Cruz if he feels he can take the next step in his development elsewhere.
Galdames sets out transfer demands
“If I do get a transfer, it needs to be something that will be good for my career,” he adds. “That’s what I have been working for since the day I became a footballer. I want to play for my country and then go to the Copa America.
“All I can say is that Godoy Cruz have treated me very well since the day I arrived here. The people at the club have made me feel as if I was one of their own. And that has honestly been very important to me to be able to perform, to be comfortable and happy in the club.
“Until something happens, I remain a Godoy Cruz player.”
Godoy coach Daniel Oldra appears to have accepted defeat in his hopes of retaining Galdames. Vice-president Juan Mansur, however, insists that – as of Thursday – Rangers have not yet opened talks to sign one of the club’s star performers.
