Rangers: German newspaper moots Rabbi Matondo loan exit at Ibrox to join Mainz
German newspaper BILD have mooted the possibility of Rabbi Matondo completing a last-minute loan exit from Rangers to join Mainz for the remainder of the season.
The 23-year-old winger has struggled for form and fitness under both Philippe Clement and Michael Beale this season, only starting four Scottish Premiership matches for the Gers but managing to score once and pick up three assists.
His limited playing role under the Belgian has seen him reduced to an impact player from the bench and the suggestion is that Bundesliga side Mainz could offer him a way out of Glasgow for the remainder of the season.
Writing on its website on Monday (29 January) they said: “Rabbi Matondo (23) brought by sports director Christian Heidel at Schalke in 2019. Now also on loan to Mainz?
“The move to Glasgow hasn’t paid off so far. The nimble and lighting-fast super dribble has not had more than a joker role.”
Unlikely to happen
Matondo may not have been particularly involved at Ibrox in recent weeks, but now that the Welshman is back fit and healthy again, he could well be finally ready to make his mark on Clement’s side in the coming weeks, especially having featured against St Mirren and Hibernian.
The 23-year-old suits the Belgian’s style as Clement likes to play with wingers, a position that he is particularly light on available options currently at Ibrox. If he can stay fit and available, there is a good chance that Matondo will feature week in and week out.
While most Gers fans will have been disappointed to learn that Abdallah Sima is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, the Senegalese international’s injury could well open the door for Matondo to play more regularly.
All-in-all, it seems highly unlikely that Rangers would let the 23-year-old leave in the final moments of the January window, even if a move to Mainz makes sense for the German side.
In other Rangers news, Barry Ferguson has urged the Gers to complete a last-ditch deal for one “brilliant” centre-forward
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