Nils Koppen to pull off Rangers masterclass as Relebohile Mofokeng compared with Pele & Iniesta
Nils Koppen could be set for a transfer masterclass at Ibrox this summer as Rangers are linked with a move for Orlando Pirates’ Relebohile Mofokeng.
According to The Sun [18 May], the Gers are “closing in” on a deal for the 19-year-old winger who has been compared to some of football’s biggest royalties.
The youngster has already been called up to South Africa’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers preliminary squad, leading to former South Africa international Benson Mhlongo comparing him to Pele and Andres Iniesta.
Speaking to Kick-off on Wednesday (15 May), he said: “The likes of Pele started playing at the World Cup at the age of 16, so I don’t see any reason why we can’t give the young man a chance. Was Pele ready for the World Cup at the age of 16? So, with Mofokeng, we can only have an answer when we see him play.
“He reminds me of Iniesta. I know because I played against him. Iniesta is very small, but you can’t take the ball away from him, and he doesn’t play a contact sport. Mofokeng is smart in finding spaces, and also a good passer. I don’t see him struggling.”
Nils Koppen preparing smart moves at Rangers during summer transfer window
With Koppen and Philippe Clement working together during the summer transfer window, the Ibrox faithful should be very excited about some of the incoming.
Rangers already recruited rather well during the January transfer window, especially considering the lack of funds that were available, managing to sign the likes of Mohamed Diomande and Oscar Cortes, with the latter joining on a permanent transfer afterwards.
Wingers, of course, are a cause for concern ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, with Abdallah Sima and Fabio Silva seemingly set to return to their clubs, and Cortes currently injured.
Though some funds are likely to be raised this summer, Clement and Koppen will probably not have a lot of cash to splash, so Mofokeng sounds like the perfect signing, especially if his comparisons are accurate.
If the youngster is available for a very cheap fee, which he is expected to be coming from Orlando Pirates, it is certainly a risk worth taking this summer in an attempt to add more strength and depth to the squad.
In other Rangers news, Simon Jordan has continued his war of words with Sir Rod Stewart on talkSPORT.
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