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Ahmed Kendouci is being lined up by Rangers for a January loan move with a view to a permanent agreement, according to Football Scotland.
Discussions have already begun over bringing the 23-year-old playmaker to Glasgow in the winter window, having apparently impressed during the first half of the season for ES Setif.
The Algerian is allowed to leave in January but his club want a permanent deal in the first instance, while there is reportedly interest from elsewhere in his signature, including Croatia.
According to Football Scotland however: “A source close to the playmaker has told Football Scotland they are confident that a deal can be agreed in January that could see him make the move to Scotland.”
The Light Blues were previously interested in the player a year ago but a move never happened, while The Scotsman relayed from “reports in Africa” on Monday (5 December) that a “small seven-figure fee” could be enough to land him.
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Michael Beale is in place and the board have got through the AGM more or less unscathed, save for a few uncomfortable moments for Ross Wilson.
Now, it appears they have got to work on the January transfer window early after making clear they plan to back the new manager.
Creativity in the midfield is something that the club have been crying out for in the early parts of the season, with an inability to break sides down simply by pouring crosses into the box.
The club has already received a psychological boost with the managerial change during the World Cup break, so if the hierarchy can tie up a new arrival ahead of time that will help again.
Beale will need to lift things on the training pitch either way, with his relationship with most of the squad something he has highlighted as a benefit, but the playing staff still needs work after a disappointing return on the summer business.
It didn’t come off a year ago but the Gers have clearly kept tabs on Kendouci since, and his performances have convinced them to make another run at it.
In other Rangers news, the new boss was on the receiving end of a blistering tirade which claimed Celtic will hand him his backside.