Reports are emerging of a near-confirmed move taking place between FC Angers and Rangers. The former has agreed to send Lassana Coulibaly out on loan to the Ibrox but the player is still waiting to receive his work permit. The 22-year-old is set to become Steven Gerrard’s eighth signing as Gers manager, behind the likes of Allan McGregor, Jamie Murphy, Ovie Ejaria, Nikola Katic, Connor Goldson, Jon Flanagan and Scott Arfield.
Coulibaly broke into the footballing scene with the French side, Bastia, making his Ligue 1 debut against Rennes aged 19. He quickly started to attract the attention of the top-tier clubs and of coaches of the Mali national team. The midfielder got selected for the U20 side and now has 9 caps to his name for the Mali senior team, almost a cemented starter next to Souleymane Diarra and Yves Bissouma.
Angers signed him for €3m last summer as the player went on to play in 18 league appearances and score a single goal. He towered over the Lille defence to smash in a powerful header from a corner kick to register his only league goal in the 2017/18 season.
Coulibaly is highly versatile with his positioning and can even appear from right back. He brings a lot of athleticism and rigidity into his team’s midfield. The midfielder likes to venture forward when required but is also disciplined around the centre circle.
When asked about the 22-year-old’s footballing abilities, Bastia coach, Francis Ciccolini said, “If Lassana continues like this, I do not see how we can keep him out of the team. He goes faster and faster, listens and works without asking questions.”
The midfielder was taking such massive strides in the French top-flight, even Paris Saint-Germain had once considered him as a potential replacement for Blaise Matuidi. Sadly, he has fallen below the pecking order at Angers due to the arrival of Vincent Pajot last week.
Coulibaly has not exactly been an instant hit in Les Scoïstes ranks. The switch to the Scottish Premiership will give him a chance to resume his development and also learn from a legendary figure in English football.
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The Light Blues will have to appeal for Coulibaly’s work permit with the player’s contract still set to run for another 3 seasons with the Ligue 1 outfit. Rangers have to do the same for Umar Sadiq as well, whom they are set to sign from AS Roma.
