Rangers’ aim is now one step closer to an Ibrox switch after their January move fell through.
Even Jefte Vital would have to confess that Rangers’ interest in the final stages of the January transfer window piqued his curiosity.
Philippe Clement’s team made negotiations with Fluminenese for the Brazilian left-back. However, he went AWOL at loan club APOEL Nicosia before apologizing for his conduct when the prospective £400,000 transfer to Ibrox fell through.
“To all APOEL fans, my teammates, the coach, the president and the entire club staff, I would like to communicate my apology for being absent,” he said on his social media accounts. “At the time of the incident, I was not feeling in a position to help the club and I chose to leave.”
Had Jefte not been under contract with APOEL until the conclusion of the current season, the 20-year-old would most likely be a Rangers player today.
Jefte Vital is still a Rangers target
He may be, of course, in the future. Borna Barisic’s contract ends this summer, leaving opportunity for a new left-sided defender at Ibrox. However, Ridvan Yilmaz has improved significantly under Philippe Clement.
Jefte isn’t the only left back on the Rangers’ radar. Gijs Smal, one of their objectives, has allegedly agreed to join Feyenoord in July, giving Jefte’s chances of getting a transfer to Glasgow a boost.
According to Voetbal International, Smal will join Feyenoord once his current contract with FC Twente expires at the conclusion of the season. As a result, one of Jefte’s main competitors looks to be out of the picture, with Smal’s transfer to Rotterdam improving the Rio-born flyer’s chances of joining compatriot Danilo at the current Scottish Premiership leaders.
Borna Barisic will have to be replaced at Ibrox.
Smal had the most assists in the Eredivisie last season, with 10.
Jefte, who admires Real Madrid’s Marcelo for his “skill and creativity,” has also made significant contributions in the final third. Jefte has three goals and four assists for APOEL and might be an inspired addition to a Rangers team that often dominates possession domestically and frequently relies on its full-backs to open up deep-lying backlines.
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