'There's no rush': President insists potential Rangers move not close for £8m ace
07/03/2024 02:00 PM
Speed and decisiveness; two words that would best describe Rangers’ summer window so far.
Five new signings, a host of departures, and a squad overhaul many have been crying out for is finally well underway.
Out goes Borna Barisic, in comes Jefte Vital. Connor Barron, one of the most exciting young talents in Scotland, arrives from Aberdeen to offset the departures of John Lundstram and Ryan Jack.
Clinton Nsiala, the 19-year-old centre-back snapped up from Italian giants AC Milan, could be the key figure in Rangers’ potential post-Conor Goldson succession plan amid interest from Birmingham City, per the Scottish Sun.
Hamza Igamane, his signature almost secured on a £1.7 million deal from RAF Rabat, will also add depth a frontline which has lost Kemar Roofe and may yet lose Cyriel Dessers too.
Rangers are, however, still one central midfielder short on last season.
Another midfielder is needed at Rangers
For all of Barron’s potential, the Scotland Under 21 international cannot alone fill the void created by the exits of both Lundstram and Jack. Hence why Rangers were hoping to make Kenny McLean’s Ibrox dreams come true before a disagreement in personal terms saw discussions with the Norwich City playmaker break down, per Rangers Review.
It feels increasingly unlikely that Damian Garcia will be the answer to Rangers’ midfield search either. While the Uruguayan’s proposed contract extension with Penarol has taken a little longer to be concluded, the expectation is that Garcia will still put pen to paper on a new deal.
One that could see his release clause rise to nearly £8 million.
Ignacio Ruglio, the president of Penarol, admits that there are three players who are ‘going to leave’ in the current transfer window. But Garcia is not one of them.
“There have been inquiries about other players. But, so far, no figures (have been offered) that would work for Penarol,” Ruglio tells Caras and Caretas, all the while playing down concerns that negotiations with Garcia were proving problematic.
“There’s no rush to renew with Damian Garcia because he has a contract until December.”
Capped nearly 30 times by Uruguay’s Under 20 side, Garcia already looks like a midfielder who can do the lot.
While an excellent ball-carrier and aggressive in the tackle, Garcia also excels when spinning away from his markers, his almost press-resistant qualities likely to appeal to a manager in Philippe Clement who wants his side to become more fluid in the build-up play.
Agent and president play down imminent exit rumours
Garcia’s agent, Edgardio Lasalvia, took a similar stance to the Penarol chief last week however.
He feels that it is only a matter of time before Garcia commits his future to a side who were also responsible for the emergence of Darwin Nunez and Facundo Pellistri, even if Penarol may still have to make a few compromises.
"The player (Garcia) has a contract with Penarol until December of this year,” Lasalvia explained to Fuera de Juenga. “Although we have started several conversations, we have not yet finalised the signing.
"I have no doubt that we are going to agree. But with the transfer period starting, signing a contract without a (release) clause, which is what is hindering our signing a little today, we are not going to do it.
"We are working hard on him. (We are) always trying to get him to stay to play in the Copa Libertadores with Penarol."
