Rangers make move to sign David Jurasek, defender must leave in January transfer window after Manchester United deal
David Jurasek “must now go on loan” during the January transfer window after Rangers got in touch with Benfica over a deal to sign the defender, according to A Bola.
The Portuguese publication reported via their print edition on 14 January (page 16) that the left-back, who only arrived at the club for €14million in the summer [£12m], is available for a move this month as they sign Alvaro Fernandez from Manchester United.
The 23-year-old has struggled to impose himself in Roger Schmidt’s squad and is also of interest to Ligue 1 pair Marseille and Lens, but the Light Blues have made contact to work out what it would take to bring him Ibrox.
Marseille are in the race despite already beating Rangers to Hellas Verona’s Josh Doig, but are set to rival Philippe Clement for another left-back as Renan Lodi is leaving France for Saudi Arabia.
There are also said to be further clubs who have asked about Czech international Jurasek.
Latest fight
Left-back is proving to be the target of more focus this month than at striker so far this month, despite the latter looking like the clear priority heading into the window.
Whether Ridvan Yilmaz is leaving or not is still to be determined, with Verona thought to be close to bringing him in to replace Doig.
If the Turk goes it makes a replacement at Ibrox a pressing concern with only Borna Barisic and possibly Dujon Sterling to cover the position.
But unless Rangers can bring in significant money for Yilmaz there is certainly an argument to keep him in Glasgow for the rest of the campaign and address the position in the summer, while directing their attention to the attacking positions midseason.
If Marseille end up beating the Gers to two targets at the same position in one window it would clearly be infuriating, although there is surely going to be more of an opportunity under Clement than at the Stade Velodrome if Doig is already on his way in at the latter.
Jurasek has made just 12 appearances at Benfica in all competitions so far this term and looks to have already been replaced by Fernandez from Old Trafford, so with Rangers probably needing to source a player who is available and won’t cost much it could well be the opportunity the club needs in the market and the chance he is looking for to get back on track.
In other Rangers news, a star man’s Ibrox exit can’t entirely be ruled out this month after interest emerged according to Chris Jack.