Oscar Cortes to Rangers transfer latest as Colombian returns to Europe amid Ibrox deal optimism

Rangers and Lens are negotiating for Colombian star Oscar Cortes to join on loan. After receiving clearance to depart his country’s U23 team’s camp in Venezuela, where they still have two games left in an Olympic qualifying event, the 20-year-old returned to Europe. Additionally, Gers executives are optimistic that a deal can be reached with the Ligue 1 team before the deadline on Thursday night.

In that case, the playmaker would sign as Philippe Clement’s third January signing, first on loan with a summer purchase option.

Reports in South America which claimed a deal had already been agreed are understood to be premature. But Rangers are optimistic a deal can be struck soon to bolster Clement’s frontline options as the Premiership title fight cranks up a gear. Cortes made a £4million switch from Millonarios in his homeland to Lens last summer.

However, he has played for the French club’s second team for the most of the season, making six appearances and scoring one goal, compared to just four substitute appearances for the first team. Nevertheless, with Abdallah Sima sidelined for up to three months due to a thigh injury, Clement has determined that the player who led his nation in scoring at the South American Youth Championships last year is the ideal complement to his frontline choices.

Ross McCausland, meanwhile, believes that the increased competition will only help him become a better player, therefore he is not concerned about Philippe Clement adding more forwards in January.

Oscar Cortes, a winger for Lens, is another possible arrival before the transfer window closes on Thursday. The Rangers youngster has already seen Fabio Silva arrive on loan from Wolves. However, McCausland stated: “Football is unique over the globe. There have been varying degrees of play.

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