Amid the excitement surrounding a promising start to the transfer window for Rangers, has the importance of one deal slipped somewhat under the radar?
Despite the sudden departure of chief executive James Bisgrove to Saudi Arabia, Philippe Clement’s side have exploded out of the blocks in the market.
Jefte Vital, the groundwork laid back in January, finally joined from Fluminense. The Brazilian expected to take the place of the soon-to-be free-agent Borna Barisic. Oscar Cortes returns for another year, meanwhile. This time, with a £4 million obligation-to-buy clause in his contract.
The Colombian winger was dazzling in his early Rangers appearances after arriving from RC Lens at the start of 2024 and will be desperate to make up for lost time after a couple of months on the sidelines with injury.
Furthermore, while The Gers may have missed out on £3 million centre-half Jose Cordoba to Norwich City, they appear well placed to secure the sought-after signatures of Rapid Bucharest striker Albion Rrahmani and South African starlet Rele Mofokeng too.
Jefte and Cortes lead Rangers reinforcements
“(Chairman John) Bennett will have his work cut out in trying to get the new recruits into the building as quickly as possible,” Barry Ferguson, the legendary Rangers captain, tells the Daily Record. “And, to his credit, three deals have been completed already.
“I find it interesting that Jefte and Cortes were identified around the same time as (January arrival) Mohamed Diomande, who has already made a decent impact over his first six months in Glasgow. There will be a lot more to come from Diomande next season.
“And, if Cortes and Jefte are of a similar level, then Rangers will have made a very strong start to the recruitment drive.”
The third deal that Ferguson was referring too, meanwhile, involves the contract extension handed to veteran defender Leon Balogun. The former skipper feels that keeping Balogun was nothing short of a ‘no-brainer’; his vast experience and proven track record in Scottish football potentially integral to a side in transition.
The Nigeria international’s return feels all the more necessary after fellow centre-half Cordoba put pen to paper with Norwich.
Leon Balogun confirms he is staying at Ibrox
“Keeping big Balogun at the club was a no brainer for me,” Ferguson adds. “Yes, he may be 35-years-old. But he looks, to me, like the consummate professional. I’m delighted he will be sticking around to offer some continuity as Clement rings the changes elsewhere.
“With five players released already, the manager will know exactly how he wants his squad to look when he gets back to Auchenhowie.”
Balogun was part of the Rangers side which stormed to the Scottish Premiership title under Steven Gerrard in 2021. Once of Brighton, Wigan, Werder Bremen and Mainz, he returned to Glasgow in July last summer after a brief spell at Queens Park Rangers.
“I am delighted Leon has signed a contract extension with the club to remain as a crucial part of our squad next season,” Clement beamed of a 2022 Scottish Cup winner under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
“In my time here so far, I have witnessed first-hand the impact he has. Not only on the pitch but off the pitch too, with his valuable experience. He is a talented defender, who brings a lot of qualities to the group.
“And I look forward to continuing to work with him next season.”
