Chelsea in Rangers talks over Jefte transfer as agreement claim made
Chelsea have opened talks to sign Rangers full-back Jefte, according to Central Fluminense.
According to the Brazilian outlet [27 January] the Premier League side are interested in the 21-year-old Brazilian, though no agreement has been reached between the parties.
It is understood that if a deal is unable to be reached before 3 February, the Blues are willing to resume negotiations with the Gers once the summer transfer window opens.
Rangers defensive star attracts interest from Premier League
With Jefte only just arriving at Ibrox, and fellow left-back Ridvan Yilmaz being heavily linked with a move to Turkey, it is difficult to see a deal being done before the winter window shuts.
Philippe Clement has been without several key defenders already this season, with James Tavernier, Leon Balogun, John Souttar, Dujon Sterling and Neraysho Kasanwirjo all spending time on the treatment table.
While Lille’s Rafael Fernandes has been added to the ranks on a six-month loan, losing Jefte so close to the transfer window closing could be detrimental to the Gers’ 2024/25 campaign.
Although the Light Blues have fallen far behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership table, they are still competing in the Europa League and the Scottish Cup and could finish the season with silverware.
Jefte has been an integral part of the squad since arriving in Glasgow, making 34 appearances in all competitions and creating a whole new dynamic for the attack from defence.
The young Brazilian has been tremendously praised since putting on a Rangers shirt, quickly earning the trust of Clement despite a rocky start to life at Ibrox.
It is difficult to see a world in which Clement sanctions an exit for his star full-back just six months after signing from Fluminense last summer.
However, the draw of playing for a Premier League club such as Chelsea could be too much for the player to turn down, especially if the Blues are willing to pay a handsome fee.
In other Rangers news, the Gers are monitoring a Premier League striker, who has been frozen out at his current club.
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