Bayern Munich’s Dutch midfielder Arjen Robben reacts after scoring during the German First division Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich v Ei…Photo credit should read CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images
Rangers named as favourites to sign Arjen Robben-like forward who once cost £8.5m
It’s fair to say Rabbi Matondo could not have done any more to earn himself a key place in Philippe Clement’s Rangers plans.
Ever since those rumours emerged suggesting that the £2.5 million man could be on his way out of Ibrox, Matondo has played like a man possessed.
Sparkling against St Johnstone in the Scottish League Cup and then devastating during Saturday’s 6-0 pummelling of Ross County.
There have always been question marks over Matondo’s ruthlessness in the final third but, breaking into the penalty area and finishing twice from close range, the Welsh winger certainly staked his claim to become Rangers’ Abdallah Sima replacement for 2024/25.
Clement admitted after that Staggies slapping that he is keen to see Matondo stay in Glasgow, with Blackburn Rovers boss John Eustace confirming his interest in both the former Man City starlet and the exiled Todd Cantwell.
But Clement also stopped short of confirming whether Matondo was 100 per cent certain to stay put.
“I hope that he continues what he’s been doing now,” Clement told Sky Sports. “I think he’s going to stay yeah. Otherwise, somebody needs to come with enough money.
“You never know in the last week (of the window). But my idea is that he will be here this season.”
READ MORE: Who is Todd Cantwell? All you need to know about the Rangers playmaker
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Rangers eye Josip Brekalo amid Rabbi Matondo uncertainty
Rangers’ alleged interest in a host of left wingers suggests that all the options remain on the table, as things stand. The Premiership runners-up are keen on the £2 million-rated Norwich City youngster Abu Kamara, per Football Scotland.
Tiago Gouveia of Benfica has been linked too.
And then there is Josip Brekalo, the Fiorentina benchwarmer who saw a potential move to Rangers before Friday’s 11pm deadline talked up by the Italian press this week.
Tuttomercatoweb report that Brekalo is not part of Raffaelle Palladino’s plans at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. He was left on the bench during both of La Viola’s opening Serie A fixtures.
The report adds that there are currently two clubs leading the race for the Zagreb-born Croatia international. One of those is Venezia – newly promoted to Italy’s top flight – and the other is Rangers.
Fiorentina and Croatia ace available for transfer
Like Matondo, Brekalo is a right-footed winger who likes to cut inside from the left.
He made curling finishes into the far corner his trademark finisher move during those Bundesliga days with Wolfsburg, some labelling him a left-sided Arjen Robben regen while others drew comparisons with Mario Gotze due to his intelligence and quick feet between the lines.
“Josip is a very quick player, who thrives in one-on-one situations,” his one-time Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking once told the UEFA website, hailing his ‘versatility’.
Oliver Glasner, the now-Crystal Palace boss, also spoke of Brekalo as a player with ‘huge potential’.
Now 26, Brekalo is unlikely to hit the same heights as Robben and Gotze. But like with fellow winger Vaclav Cerny – another ex-Wolfsburg man – a player who once moved for £8.5 million could enjoy a new lease of life with a starring role at a title-chasing club in a league below the strength he is used to.
Brekalo scored seven Bundesliga goals in 2020/21. He then replicated that return at Torino a year later.
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