Rangers in ‘exclusive talks’ to sign Nobel Mendy as he chooses Ibrox transfer

Rangers are prioritising a move for Real Betis defender Nobel Mendy ahead of the transfer deadline.

Russell Martin’s tenure at Ibrox has gotten off to a rocky start as he’s failed to win both of his SPFL games.

After two games, they find themselves in sixth place, in dire need of reinforcements in the coming weeks.

Russell Martin applauds Ibrox after Rangers win v Panathinaikos
Credit: Imago

Rangers in exclusive talks with Real Betis for Mendy

According to Sacha Tavolieri, Mendy now fancies a move to Gers and is pushing to join them.

The Sky Sports Switzerland journalist reported on 10 August that Betis and the Ibrox outfit are in “exclusive talks” over the transfer of the 20-year-old.

Both sides are working towards striking an agreement so that the Senegalese defender could jet into Scotland and finalise his transfer.

Rangers have already agreed personal terms with Mendy, so it’s just down to the two sides finalising a transfer fee.

Read more: Three alternatives to Mendy that Martin can consider signing if the deal falls through

Martin will be thrilled with the imminent arrival of Mendy

While Martin will be thrilled at the defender’s imminent arrival, he needs to get the best out of him.

To maximise the 20-year-old’s potential at Rangers, Martin should leverage his versatility and physicality while addressing his limited senior experience.

Mendy, a 6ft 2in defender from Real Betis, excels as a left-sided centre-back or left-back, offering flexibility for Martin’s preferred 4-3-3 or 3-5-2 systems.

ClubAppearances
Betis Deportivo34
Paris FC U1929
Paris FC B20
Real Betis6
Paris FC3
Mendy’s career stats.

Martin should integrate Mendy gradually, pairing him with experienced defenders like John Souttar to build confidence.

Emphasising his ball-playing ability, the former Southampton boss can encourage the defender to initiate attacks from the back, aligning with his possession-based philosophy.

Regular training drills focusing on aerial duels and defensive positioning will enhance Mendy’s robustness in the Scottish top flight’s physical battles.

Martin’s vocal leadership style should balance constructive feedback with encouragement to boost Mendy’s mentality.

By fostering a defined role and offering consistent minutes, Martin can transform Mendy into a key defensive asset for Rangers’ title challenge.

Sign up for the Ibrox News WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest, breaking Rangers news sent straight to your phone.