Oscar Cortes, a winger, and left-back Jefte are close to joining Rangers in an attempt to increase their options at the top of the pitch and defense.

Jefte and Cortes might not be the final players to arrive in Glasgow this week, though, as rumors have it that the Gers would like to recruit another player to join Silva and Diomande.

Rangers’ pursuit of a midfield player

The Light Blues will have one eye on the summer as they currently have two central midfielders who are due to be out of contract at the end of the season.

John Lundstram and Ryan Jack are both set to become free agents ahead of the 2024/25 campaign and it remains to be seen whether or not the club will try to pin them down to extensions.

If Rangers opt to allow one, or both, of them to move on then they could need to add another option in that area of the pitch, which is where Aberdeen’s Connor Barron could come in.

Clement was asked about interest in the central midfielder at a press conference earlier this month and remained coy on the subject – refusing to rule it out completely.

Football Scotland added that he is out of contract with the Dons at the end of the season, like Jack and Lundstram, and that the Light Blues could speak with him to secure a pre-contract deal.

They would have influence over Aberdeen and could give them a chance to obtain more than just a development fee in the summer if they were able to reach a pre-agreement with Barron. They could use it to sign him this week before the deadline.

By making a deal for the Dons ace, Clement might land Diomande’s future partner as well as a dream replacement for Jack in the middle of the park.

The statistical season of Ryan Jack

The Scottish maestro has played a supporting role for the Light Blues in the Scottish Premiership so far this season as he has failed to nail down a regular starting berth.

He has started four matches and featured in 10 top-flight games in total under Beale and Clement combined, which does not suggest that Jack has had many opportunities to show that he deserves a new contract.

The 31-year-old dynamo has, however, been a reliable passer in midfield with a pass success rate of 87% – including 86% inside his own half – and this shows that he rarely gives possession back to the opposition with his passing.

Last season, Jack started 19 of his 26 league appearances for Rangers and was a solid contributor for the club with his play on and off the ball.

The Scotland international made 1.8 tackles and interceptions per game and won 51% of his physical duels across those 26 Premiership matches.

He also completed 91% of his attempted passes and made 1.1 key passes per game to create opportunities for his teammates at the top end of the pitch.

According to these numbers, Jack is a versatile midfield player who can play at number eight and contribute offensively, defensively, and in possession.

Barron could be the ideal alternative for Jack, who is thirty-one years old, because he can provide comparable attributes in the middle of the park and, at twenty-one, still have time to mature and develop as a long-term option for Clement.

The numbers that support Barron’s signing with the Rangers

The dynamic Scotsman has showcased his ability in the Premiership and the Europa Conference League this season and could be a dream partner for Diomande over the years to come.

The 22-year-old gem was signed by Rangers earlier this month following his stellar play in the Danish Superliga during the first part of the 2023–24 season.

Starting twelve league games, Diomande made an impression with three assists, 1.1 crucial passes per game, and an 89% pass completion percentage for Nordsjaelland.

The Ivorian midfielder may not have the physicality to go along with his excellent creativity and passing in possession, as seen by the fact that he lost 51% of his duels during those Superliga games.

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