Almamy Toure set to become 'first 49ers signing for Rangers' as contract news emerges

Rangers are reportedly in talks over a deal to sign Malian centre-back Almamy Toure.

The 29-year-old is being linked with a move to Ibrox as Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises complete their takeover of the Scottish Premiership club.

It was announced on Friday that the US consortium is now in charge at Ibrox with Cavenagh assuming the role as chairman while 49ers Enterprises president Paraag Marathe is the new Gers vice-chairman.

49ers Enterprises technical director Gretar Steinsson has played a major role in helping hire a new manager ahead of Kevin Thelwell's official arrival at Ibrox on Monday (2 June).

And it seems Steinsson and Thelwell may have also been hard at work on new signings with Toure reportedly a target.

Toure available on free transfer to Rangers

Toure "could become the first signing of the 49ers ownership", according to The Sunday Post.

The newspaper reported on the front of page of their sports section on Sunday (1 June) that Toure is "available" as a free agent after his contract expired at Kaiserslautern in Germany.

It is understood that talks have been held about a deal that will take the former Frankfurt centre-back to Ibrox.

Toure played just eight times for Kaiserslautern in 2. Bundesliga this season due to numerous suspensions and injury issues.

However, the one-time Mali international has over 100 appearances in both the Bundesliga and Ligue 1, where he played for Frankfurt and Monaco, respectively. He's also got Champions League experience.

In 2022, Toure played against Rangers in the Europa League final when Frankfurt won on penalties in Seville.

The free agent is primarily a centre-back, but he has also been known to feature as a right-back.

Rangers summer transfer window begins now

If Toure is the first signing of Rangers' new American ownership, it'll be an underwhelming one.

While he's at the peak age in his career and has a good amount of experience in top European leagues and competitions, the fact that he's played just 33 times in total in the last three seasons is worrying.

Constant injury issues appear to have plagued Toure since he helped Frankfurt win the Europa League title to the point where he's not really played a full season's worth of football in over three years.

Rangers need to give this one a wide berth unless they're happy with him being squad filler.