Club chief says no Rangers bid yet for Ibrox target but manager expects sale
In the space of a few hours, Rangers fans received direct information concerning the futures of two of their summer objectives. Basically, directly from the manager’s mouths.
Amid reports that Rangers had cooled their interest in the £3.2 million Panama international centre-back Jose Cordoba, Levski Sofia’s new head coach Slanislav Genchev delivered an update on the much-coveted defender. “Jose Cordoba is not sold yet,” Genchev told Bulgarian daily Gerena. “There are talks with a club, but no contract has been reached yet. It is unpleasant for any coach to see his best defender sold. “Cordoba remains a Levski player. If he is sold, we will need to locate a replacement player. I know from experience that finding a center defender, a left-sided player, is one of the most difficult tasks.
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 says that Godoy Cruz midfielder Tomas Conechny is in talks to leave, but he is the only player for whom they have received an offer or initiated discussions. And that includes Galdames. “We have not received specific offers for any other player,” the vice president confirms. However, a departure seems inevitable, especially as Galdames nears the end of his contract. The former Union Espinola player is set to become a free agent in December. Rangers, however, made Jefte their first signing in what is expected to be a hectic summer of incoming and outgoing transfers last week. The former Fluminense youth might replace Borna Barisic, who appears to be on his way to Trabzonspor.
“Jefte is an exciting young defender,” Clement said on the Rangers’ official website. “I’m happy that he’s joined our squad so early in the summer season. He has already demonstrated great quality and promise, and I am convinced he will play an important role in our club going forward. “I look forward to working with him in the months to come.”
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