According to the latest reports from the Scottish Sun, Swedish defender Filip Helander will complete his Rangers move today as he is going to go through a medical by the end of the day. The defender has agreed on personal terms with the Bears. Reports add that the defender is joining for £3.5m on a four-year deal. Reports in Italy mention that the price is going to be closer to £5.3m with add ons, but the Scottish Sun believes that is not the case.
Helander had fallen down the pecking order at Bologna since the new manager Sinisa Mihajlovic came in. Reports even came out earlier that the defender was also pushing for a move away from the club this summer. The defender is a ten times Sweden international, and he was even part of the national team at the 2018 World Cup where the Scandinavian side made it to the quarterfinals.
Why Rangers need a defender?
The 26-year-old even has Champions League experience with Swedish heavyweights Malmo so that should be another big plus for Gerrard. It was no surprise that Gerrard went in for another defender after the signing of George Edmundson from Oldham Athletic. The Bears had lost two defenders from last season as Gareth McAuley and Joe Worrall’s contract had expired.
Good signing for the club?
The best thing about this new signing is that Gerrard is getting an experienced player who has played on the biggest of the stages. The club already has two young and upcoming defenders in the form of Nikola Katic and Edmundson. Katic showed promising signs last season, but he might be prone to errors on occasions. As for Edmundson, he is yet to be tested outside of the League Two so playing for Rangers is going to be a big step up for him.
We expect Helander to be the first choice centre back once he settles in at the club. The 6ft4 defender is strong in the air, and he has that physical game which is necessary to thrive in the Scottish Premiership. However, he could be troubled by some pacey forwards. Helander showcases decent defensive qualities, and he can make instinctive interception and blocks by reading the game.
The Gers are spending big money for him, and a lot will be expected out of this international defender. Helander is currently at the prime of his career as he is still 26. Therefore he is the perfect mix of youth plus experience for Gerrard.
