‘Russell Martin faces nightmare Rangers issue’ amid huge Jefte exit update
Russell Martin has only been in charge at Rangers for a matter of months and he has already had to make countless huge decisions.
The new boss has been less than impressed with his side’s opening two displays in the Premiership, following two games which have presented him with more problems than solutions.
Martin looks as if he could be about to replace Jack Butland in a crucial call in the goalkeeping department, with the Govan outfit currently lining up a move for Arsenal youngster Karl Hein.
The former Southampton and Swansea boss has already had to do plenty of work on the squad, and Jefte could be about to present him with another problem to overcome.
Martin has left-back issue as Jefte in talks with Palmeiras
The left-back spot was an issue for Martin’s predecessors at Rangers last term, as both Ridvan Yilmaz and Jefte struggled to turn in the kind of consistent performances that were needed to make the position their own.
They have both been heavily linked with moves away in recent weeks, and Jefte has seemingly just taken a major step towards the exit door at Ibrox.
Palmeiras are thought to be in negotiations with Rangers regarding a potential move for the defender, according to the Brazilian outlet Universo Online.
It is understood that a deal could potentially be on the table for a fee of between £4.3million and £5.1m, and Martin will have a serious issue on his hands if the negotiations continue to progress.
- Jefte started 30 times for Rangers in the Premiership last term
- He notched one goal and four assists throughout the campaign
- He has previously been linked with a move to Chelsea back in January
The Gers are short of quality at left-back already, and losing Jefte would leave Yilmaz as the only natural fit within the senior squad, and even that could change if he also departs.
It is highly unlikely that Martin would trust him enough to name him within the side, considering that he is yet to feature in a competitive game under the new boss.
Max Aarons is capable of playing on the left side of the backline, but after he was terrorised by Facundo Pellistri in the second leg against Panathinaikos a few weeks ago, it quickly became clear that he isn’t a viable solution either.
- Read More: Martin wows Panathinaikos fans, Aarons has ‘unbearable’ time – Greek media reacts to Rangers win
Jefte exit would force Rangers into swift transfer action
Martin and Rangers are rapidly running out of time to address any remaining issues in the squad, with the transfer window now having just three weeks left to run.
The window will shut on 1 September, which is beginning to add even greater urgency to any late business that the Gers may want to conduct.
Given the options that are available to them at present, if Jefte’s departure does materialise, they would surely be forced back into the market for at least one left-back.
They simply cannot rely on Yilmaz and a makeshift option in Aarons to tie them over until January.
If that is what Martin ultimately hopes to do, then it would be a nightmare scenario, and could effectively end Rangers’ title hopes in a matter of weeks.
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