By Doug Ward

10th Jul, 2022 | 3:04pm

Rangers transfer: Schalke release Rabbi Matondo from training camp to enter Ibrox talks

Rabbi Matondo has been released from Schalke’s training camp so he can enter talks over a move to Rangers, according to Dirk Schlarmann.

The Sky Sports Germany journalist reported via his personal Twitter account on Sunday afternoon (10 July) that Matondo, 21, will not fly out to Schalke’s pre-season training camp as he closes in on a move to Ibrox.

Schalke are set to prepare for the 2022/23 season in Austria but they’ll be doing it without the Glasgow-bound Wales international.

What can he offer?

Matondo is a young player who doesn’t have a lot of experience.

He rose through the ranks at Cardiff and Manchester City before heading to Germany to join Schalke in January 2019.

However, he’s only played 31 times for their senior side in two and a half years and endured mixed loan spells at Stoke City and Cercle Brugge.

Last season, he was on loan at Brugge.

He scored 10 goals in 27 appearances across all competitions, which isn’t a bad return for a youngster in a side that isn’t among the best in Belgium.

Matondo can play out wide on the left or as a striker.

Tom Lawerence signed from Derby this week and plays the exact same positions and Ryan Kent is already at Ibrox, albeit in the final year of his contract.

Does this mean we can expect Kent to leave?

It does feel is possible this summer and it would make sense too given as it’s the final chance to cash in on the English winger.

We’re not sure about what to expect from Matondo.

To date, he’s had an underwhelming career but the fact he’s young suggests there’s a lot more to come from the Liverpool-born Wales international.

In other Rangers news, the Gers have missed out on one of their main targets despite tabling multiple bids for him.