By Anthony Onifade

20th Apr, 2023 | 7:10am

Michael Beale could sign exciting secret weapon in Luis Palma as Rangers transfer news emerge

Luis Palma will reportedly cost Rangers £4.4million if they are to sign the attacker and Michael Beale may have located an exciting secret weapon for next season.

The 23-year-old is attracting widespread attention at Greek playoff team Aris Thessaloniki, with journalist Georgios Sideridis revealing on 2 April that the Light Blues had sent scouts to watch the South American attacker.

And according to Sport Dog [18 April], the Gers will need to meet his €5million (£4.4m) valuation to bring him to Ibrox this summer.

Anderlecht, Dynamo Kyiv and an unnamed MLS outfit have all reportedly made offers, with the Belgian club’s €3million [£2.6million] the highest, but the door remains open for the Light Blues to swoop in and match their valuation.

Rangers are keen to bolster their squad next season, with manager Michael Beale admitting he is hopeful of at least five additions during the summer transfer window and this could well prove a wise investment and within the club’s budget.

Rangers obviously have to shop in a different market to much of Europe, and the way their fierce rivals Celtic have succeeded in monopolising the Asian market is something the Light Blues are clearly keen to utilise as they seek to match the Hoops’ stunning recruitment strategy.

And it seems there will be a hot chase of Palma’s signature with many of Europe’s clubs also sending scouts to watch him.

The 23-year-old does seem an unknown quantity to some Gers supporters right now, but that’s how their Old Firm rivals have cemented their dominance by signing the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi and Jota who were unproven commodities but have completely transformed the Hoops’ game under Ange Postecoglu and that is a transfer approach the Gers could certainly improve on.

Palma can certainly be deemed as a hidden gem for Rangers.

The Honduran started his career off at CDS Vida, scoring 21 goals in just 56 matches with those numbers earning him a move to Greek side Aris in 2021. Since then, he has continued to impress in Europe.

Indeed, this term, Palma has ten goals and six assists in just 29 matches, which is actually higher than Ryan Kent’s three goals and eight assists, and who looks set to depart Ibrox this term.

Palma isn’t just restricted to playing on the wing, with the attacker able to operate in a centre-forward role with apparent ease while also dropping in just behind the striker if called upon.

Palma’s versatility and tactical understanding of various attacking positions could certainly give Beale plenty of food for thought and provide the former Queens Park Rangers coach with his secret weapon like his counterpart Postecoglu possesses in abundance at Celtic Park.

With six caps so far for Honduras, Palma already has experience at international level and there is no doubt he will increase this tally if he moves to Glasgow, gaining some much-needed European exposure, under the progressive tactical style of Beale.

Dubbed an “impeccable player” by Left Back Football (October 2022) with great passing and dribbling qualities who can play across the entire front line, that’s exactly the kind of profile Beale loves within his progressive setup and Palma could well prove to become a huge Ibrox favourite should he join.

In other Rangers news, a rival SPFL manager has revealed his surprise at signing a Light Blues player for less money than elsewhere.