Mateo Cassierra confirms link to Rangers, wants a move within a week
Mateo Cassierra has linked himself with a move to Rangers and wants to sign for a club in the coming days he said in a radio interview.
The Colombian player is looking to leave Sochi after sanctions imposed on Russian clubs in Europe following the invasion of Ukraine, according to Football Scotland.
The former Ajax man was in the Eredivisie at the same time as the Gers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst was manager at Feyenoord.
The 25-year-old scored 14 league goals and provided 6 assists this season after moving from Belenenses SAD in the Portuguese second tier.
He said in an interview in his home country, via Football Scotland: “I hope within the next week or so, my future will be confirmed and I will sign for a club who are good for me.
“My priority is to stay in Europe because I have been here for five years now.
“The manager of Rangers knows me because when I was at Ajax, he was the manager of Feyenoord.
“So there are options for me that need to be evaluated.”
Intriguing
With Cedric Itten’s exit now confirmed and both Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe coming off injuries there is certainly scope for the Bears to add a striker this summer.
With the top two ruled out and the now-departed understudy not trusted the team was put in a difficult position at the business end of the season so another goalscorer is needed.
His record in Russia is strong so there is every reason to believe he could be a success in the Scottish Premiership.
Assuming Morelos remains after he is fully recovered from thigh surgery it would likely help his compatriot to settle in.
The link between Cassierra and the club was reported last month, as Russian TV commentator Roman Naguchev claimed contact had been made by the Ibrox side over his availability (MatchTV).
Whether that is true or not, there does appear to be some interest direct from the player based on his willingness to speak on the matter.
How much can be read into his words might be up for debate however as a story on Campionat noting a similar statement from his agent also pointed out that he had declared he would stay in March despite the fallout from the Russian invasion.
If there is action from the club’s side as well as just the player talking then it could be an interesting addition if the price is right.
In other Rangers news, there looks to be a two in, one out deal brewing with the club set to benefit in all three cases.