Sunderland ready Rangers transfer push with exit now close
Sunderland are pursuing a move to sign Rangers forward Rabbi Matondo, according to Rangers News.
The Gers news outlet reported on Wednesday (15 January) that Matondo is closing in on an Ibrox exit in the winter transfer window, with Sunderland alongside Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday joining the race for his services.
Matondo narrowly missed out on a move to Norwich City on Deadline Day last summer [Football Scotland], but his long-awaited departure from Glasgow is seemingly right around the corner as Serie A duo Torino and Lecce are also in for his signature.
Rangers will surely sell Rabbi Matondo in coming days
The 24-year-old is garnering interest from sides south of the border and in Europe – it will only be a matter of time before his wages are off the books at Ibrox.
While once considered a top-level performer for Rangers, he has since struggled to nail down a starting berth under Philippe Clement and has seen his progress this year hampered by injuries.
Although a £2million asking price has been mooted, any offer for the forward is likely to be a loan deal, with an optional or obligational purchase clause at the end of the season.
Clement is desperate to turn around his bleak fortunes at the Gers, and he will attempt to do so in the only way he knows – by wheeling and dealing in the winter transfer window.
Ibrox News exclusively learned on 27 December that defender Ridvan Yilmaz has been touted for potential suitors, with an asking price ranging between £4.1m and £4.9m and could soon follow Matondo out the door.
The current defensive injury crisis at Ibrox has halted all speculation regarding the Turkish international, but with Leon Balogun and James Tavernier nearing their returns, his sale, alongside Matondo, will return to the forefront of the transfer plans.
In other Rangers news, Gers fans are ‘tearing hair out’ over Philippe Clement ahead of the Aberdeen clash.
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