According to a report from South African media outlet Daily Sun, Rangers are eyeing a move for South Africa’s international midfielder George Maluleka. The 30-year-old currently plies his trade in his homeland for Kaizer Chiefs. Maluleka is a central midfielder by trade, but he can be utilised as an attacking midfielder as well as a defensive midfielder if required. It is being said that Rangers scouts were present in the Cape Town Stadium to see the player in action. However, Maluleka was left on the substitutes’ bench.
The midfielder’s agent didn’t reveal much either when asked about the latest speculations and he recently said (via Goal), ”It’s a delicate situation at the moment. Call me in the new year, and we can have a proper conversation.”
Does Rangers need to bring in any midfielders?
Rangers have already got a strong core of midfielders in Glen Kamara, Ryan Jack, Scott Arfield, Steven Davis and Joe Aribo. Beyond them, Gerrard can call upon the services of Greg Docherty and Andy King. Docherty and King have barely featured so far this season, and so we don’t see the club going after Maluleka in the winter transfer period.
Ross McCrorie is another top talent at Rangers’ disposal and is currently on loan with Portsmouth. He will also make a claim for a first-team place next season so there is no immediate need for the Bears to sign a midfielder. However, Kamara is attracting plenty of interest, and he could leave in January or the summer. Andy King is also only on loan until the end of the campaign.
It is indeed surprising to see Rangers being linked with a midfielder. Moreover, Maluleka doesn’t seem like an option for the future as he is already 30, so it is quite astonishing to see these links emerge.
Maluleka to be a free agent by next summer
Maluleka’s contract is expiring in the summer of 2020, and he will be open to signing a pre-contract deal in January so that he can move to a club in the summer for free. If Rangers try to get him in January, then he could be available on a cut-price deal.
Why he will be a gamble for Gerrard
Maluleka is more of a defensive-minded midfielder, and he is known to be a midfield disruptor. He is a five-time South African international. The 30-year-old hasn’t played football outside of South Africa before so it would certainly be a gamble if Rangers decide to sign him. It remains to be seen whether the latest rumours are true or just gossip to fill the papers.
