Rangers officials in Jefte boost as ‘wonderful’ £6.6m Chelsea transfer agreed
Jefte has been linked with a shock move away from Rangers this month.
Even though the 21-year-old left-back has done well at Ibrox since his arrival from Fluminense last year, no one was expected him to attract attention from Chelsea in the winter transfer window.
Rangers Review journalist Chris Jack reported on 27 January that the Premier League giants are leading the race to sign the Brazilian full-back with Ibrox officials braced for a potential exit in the summer.
Speaking on 29 January ahead of the Gers’ 2-1 Europa League victory over USG, Philippe Clement spoke about the speculation linking Jefte with a move to Stamford Bridge, saying that a transfer for the Brazilian youngster right now is probably too soon in his career.
As per PLZ, he said: “So I know that kind of club. I had some players going there or similar clubs.
“Maybe one day, no not maybe, if he makes a normal evolution what he has been doing now, I think one day he will be ready for that.
“But at the moment it’s too early and I think this is a really good place for him to develop.
“So he’s totally not busy with all these rumours, totally not.”
Chelsea agree Denner transfer – much to Rangers relief
However, it seems Chelsea have already got their hands on an up-and-coming Brazilian left-back, which might mean they back off in their pursuit for Jefte.
Corinthians president Augusto Melo has confirmed that the Blues have agreed a big-money deal with them for Denner, a 16-year-old left-back who’s started to shine for the Brazilian club’s youth teams.
“It’s €8m (£6.6m) in cash,” he told Meu Timao, as translated by the Glasgow Evening Times.
“Then there is another amount, of €100,000 (£83,000) per game.
“It’s a wonderful sale for a boy at 16 years old who hasn’t played a single professional game.”
Denner is unlikely to be a player many British football fans will have heard of but Chelsea’s scouts must be incredibly confident that he’s going to be the next Roberto Carlos or Marcelo if they’re agreeing to pay that much for him without him even making a senior appearance.
But that’s not relevant for the Gers, who’ll no doubt be delighted to see the London club snapping up a young left-back.
It doesn’t quite mean that a move for Jefte won’t be a topic of discussion again in the summer transfer window; if Chelsea have looked at him, it’s likely there’ll be other Premier League clubs eyeing up a deal.
However, those Rangers officials who had been bracing themselves for a summer bid from Stamford Bridge can perhaps rest a bit easier knowing that one of Ibrox’s top talents is less likely to be on the move this year and he can keep on building up his talent – and value – in Govan.
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