Damian Garcia is amongst the most exciting transfer links to Rangers this summer.
The 20-year-old Uruguayan midfielder currently plies his trade in his homeland with Peñarol and is widely regarded as one of the country’s brightest young talents.
The transfer links also certainly fit the Rangers bill from this window.
Philippe Clement’s side have been linked with a host of young central and South American talents as the Gers look to enhance their player trading profile.
Now, defensive midfielder Damian Garcia has been showing Ibrox fans just what they could be getting with his first ever goal in professional football.
Garcia nets first Peñarol goal
Coming through the youth ranks at Peñarol, Damian Garcia would’ve dreamed of scoring a winner for the club.
And that’s exactly what the Uruguayan talent did in the table-topping side’s Uruguayan Primera Division clash with lowly Fénix.
Scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory, Garcia got himself on the end of a looping free-kick cross into the box to open both his Peñarol account and his account in professional football.
Despite the goalie’s best efforts to pull a Joe Hart, the goal stood and Peñarol extended their lead at the top of the Uruguayan Primera División to 10 points.
New contract to guarantee Rangers transfer fee
There is a little bit of conjecture surrounding the Rangers links to Damian Garcia.
Rumours of Rangers’ interest – which comes off the back of several young Latin American players being targeted – first appeared on social media.
South American football journalist Nathan Joyes started the speculation by claiming Rangers were ‘linked’ with the Uruguayan U20 World Cup winning midfielder in South America.
Naturally, a swell of coverage followed before local journalist Klaus German pulled the brakes, suggesting Peñarol would only be interested in striking a deal if it involved loaning the kid back for six months.
But before Rangers fans start believing they’ve got the next Federico Valverde on their hands, the precise source of the links remain unclear.
Nonetheless, Garcia certainly fits the Rangers profile and some interesting comments from the midfielder’s agent have only added to the intrigue.
Edgardo Lasalvia has been outspoken about the situation with Damian Garcia and suggests that Peñarol’s latest contract offer was an insult.
With Garcia out of contract in December, Lasalvia claims there is interest from the MLS, Mexico and ‘other markets’.
The agent even suggested that Portland Timbers is a ‘strong’ option due to fellow Uruguayan Jonathan Rodriguez giving ‘good references’.
All that being said, Lasalvia does however insist that the midfielder will sign a new contract at Peñarol before any transfer out of the club.
This is to leave through the ‘big door’, ensuring the Uruguayan club get a fee for their asset in spite of a public spat over wages.
“I really like the MLS for Damian, but there are chances for Mexico and other markets,” said Lasalvia, as quoted by Uruguayan publication Montevideo.
“What Damian Garcia earns is not good. He earns less than a Miramar Misiones player.
“Then someone from outside comes and pays them (more), and they walk (out) the club and don’t leave them anything.
“The manager on duty can ask for whatever he wants for the players. As (for) the vice president (Eduardo Zaidensztat), whom I listened to with an incredible neck, (he) said the players are from the club.
“But the contracts expire and there is no obligation to renew, and even less so if you offer me two pesos, like the vice president did.
“Damian Garcia was offered two pesos for renewal. In fact, his contract is expiring because he gave him a short contract. He never bet on him.
“If you have someone below who tells you that a player has projection, you cannot offer him a 15,000 peso increase.
“If Damian didn’t have me, he wouldn’t be able to live like a professional and perform as well as he does. If not, he would not be able to pay rent, live as he lives and help his mother, who cleans floors.
“We have been talking and I think we are going to reach an agreement. They, especially Zaidensztat, rest because they know that I am not going to take a free player from the club.
“I’m going to renew it and we’re going to go through the big door.
“Let people (be) rest assured because the players of the TMA team (their representation agency) do not leave through the back door, beyond the leaders. The leaders pass and Peñarol belongs to the people.”
It’s a bit messy for sure, but even with Damian Garcia out of contract in December, if Rangers are genuinely interested then it looks like they’ll have to cough up.
