According to the latest reports from Czech media outlet iSport, Rangers want to sign Slavia Prague’s defender Simon Deli who has his release clause set at €2.5m. However, the Gers were unwilling to match the 27-year-old’s release clause earlier. But now it’s reported that things could change and the Bears are looking to come to an agreement over the defender’s transfer.
Steven Gerrard has expressed (Daily Record) his desire that he still wants to sign one more centre back this summer. The club lost the services of two defenders as Joe Worrall and Gareth McAuley left the club after the last season. The Bears secured the signing of George Edmundson recently, and there still seems to be one more spot up for grabs at the back.
Rangers are set to compete with Belgian heavyweights Club Brugge for the signature of Deli. The defender is an Ivory Coast international, but he wasn’t picked for the recent Africa Cup of Nations. The defender made 36 appearances in all competitions last season including nine appearances in the Europa League.
Will Deli be a good signing?
Many consider the 27-year-old as one of the best defenders in the Czech division, and he has been with Slavia since 2015. In fact, the player has been playing in the Czech top flight since 2012, and he spent three years with Sparta Prague as well.
Deli is known for his impressive on the ball qualities as he is calm and composed in possession. The defender stands in at 6ft4, so understandably he is reliable and robust in the air. His physical presence and strength will make him an ideal defender for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership. Another attribute worth mentioning for the defender is his ability to time his tackles perfectly.
Therefore Deli seems to tick all the boxes which Rangers would want from a defender. The centre back has entered the final year of his contract so we think that the Czech side might reluctantly sell him to not lose him for free after 12 months.
Is he Worth €2.5m and can Rangers sign him?
In today’s day and age, we think that Deli is quite comfortably worth €2.5m and in our opinion, Rangers would be getting a bargain deal if they manage to sign him for that price. However, Club Brugge would likely provide stiff competition as they played in the Champions League last season.
Moreover, Slavia are keen to keep hold of him as club’s president Jaroslav Tvrdik posted a message on Twitter which said (Daily Record), ”In these hours and days, our football god, Simon Deli, wants to decide whether to accept the offer of Slavia or to go for another challenge. Help us convince him to help us return to the Champions League in Eden, and that without him we can no longer imagine Slavia. Please write to him too.”
That’s some appeal from a president to the fans, and maybe Rangers can do something similar with Ryan Kent.
