Rangers want to sign Cardiff City attacker Japhet Matondo
Rangers are reportedly keen on signing Cardiff City under-23s attacker Japhet Matondo once the summer window opens.
According to Wales Online, the Welsh club are keen on keeping a hold of the 16-year-old despite growing interest in his services.
The Weslhamn is believed to be waiting on their contract offer before making a decision about his future.
Bar Gers, Celtic and Leeds United are also keeping tabs and want to sign him in the coming months.
Teenage prodigy
Missing out on Champions League football is going to be significant for Rangers in terms of their finances.
They will now be unable to attract the calibre of player they would if they played in that competition.
This means that going for younger players may be the best and most cost-effective alternative.
Matondo may not have played a single minute of professional football but he certainly would be a valuable addition.
In a year or maybe half a season, the 16-year-old could look to challenge for first-team football if he impresses the coaches at the youth level.
However, he would have to be lured away from Cardiff which is his boyhood club.
At that age, players tend to prefer their comfort zone and he probably may wait for a few more years before leaving.
Hopefully, the club open talks with him and sell him a picture of him they plan to integrate him in the first team and he could be tempted to leave if he’s impressed.
In other Rangers news, the club are ‘not convinced’ by a key first-team player and an early termination of his contract is extremely likely.