It’s a debate many a player has had to consider over the years. Top flight football in Scotland or second-tier action in England?
European football and a shot at silverware with Rangers? Or the prospect of a future under the bright lights of the glamorous Premier League, coupled with the bigger wages life in such a division tends to result in?
For one of Philippe Clement‘s transfer targets – given a tour around Glasgow last month as the Ibrox giants entered ‘advanced’ talks over a deal worth around £3 million – the lure of England proved impossible to ignore, attracted to a promotion-chasing Norwich City like a moth to a flame.
“I am very happy for Jose Cordoba,” Panama coach Thomas Christiansen says, via Kota Sport. “Because he is a very important player for our team. This transfer is a step forward in his development.”
Rangers target Jose Cordoba seals Norwich City move
Christiansen knows first hand just how difficult the fiercely competitive Championship can be to navigate. He spent half a season at Elland Road during the 2017/18 season, Leeds United taking another two years to secure their long-awaited return to the top-flight after bringing in the legendary Marcelo Bielsa following Christiansen’s departure.
After they met in the play-offs last month – Leeds triumphing 4-0 in the second-leg before losing to Southampton at Wembley – Christiansen can see his former employers and Cordoba’s new ones going head-to-head again in 2024/25.
“For Cordoba, there are many improvements ahead in terms of sport, as well as new challenges in one of the most competitive leagues,” adds the Dane, who handed the 22-year-old centre-half his international debut back in 2022.
“Norwich is a very good team who next season, together with Leeds, will be fighting to win promotion to the Premier League.”
Rangers appeared to accept defeat in their pursuit of Cordoba some time before Norwich got their man.
According to Bulgarian publication TEMA Sport, the Scottish Premiership runners-up were either unwilling or unable to match Norwich’s approach. The Canaries’ offered a larger initial sum than Rangers, who wanted to meet Levski Sofia’s £3 million asking price via a series of performance-based add-ons.
Thomas Galdames is now at top of Ibrox hitlist
Rangers have now turned toThomas Galdames of Godoy Cruz. The versatile Chilean should come much cheaper than his fellow left-footer, his contract the Argentine-based outfit running out in December.
“We’re delighted to welcome Jose and his family to Norwich City,” beams Carrow Road sporting director Ben Knapper. “He is a player we have been tracking for a long time and we think he fits really well with what we’re looking for.
“As a person, he is extremely impressive, and he showed a big desire to join us here and be a part of our great club. On the pitch, his combination of technical ability and athleticism gives him a great foundation, and we feel he still has big steps in his development to come.
“We feel sure we can help him achieve his potential. We’re all really excited to work with Jose.”
