Jose Cordoba closes in on Rangers transfer with multi-million fee ready at Ibrox

Rangers are edging closer to making Levski Sofia defender Jose Cordoba their first signing of the summer for £3million, according to The Daily Record.

The newspaper has reported in its print edition [14 May, pg 47] that despite being fully fit, the Panama international was left out of the Bulgarian club's latest matchday squad.

Rangers have been fond of the 22-year-old for some time, going as far as inviting Cordoba to attend their recent 4-1 win over Kilmarnock at Ibrox.

It is said that Cordoba "seems certain" to complete his move to the Gers when the transfer window opens, after supposedly holding talks with Philippe Clement already.

Will Rangers sign Jose Cordoba?

Rangers' squad could have an entirely different composition come the start of next season, with as many as 11 players out of contract this summer.

Two of those are veteran defenders Borna Barisic and Leon Balogun, who will leave significant holes to fill at the back if they, as expected, depart Ibrox at the end of the season.

The Gers have the Scottish Premiership's best defence this season, conceding just 27 goals, but strengthening that backline further, while also bolstering their attacking stocks, is one of few ways in which the Ibrox side can get their noses in front of Old Firm rivals Celtic.

Signing Cordoba, therefore, looks like an astute acquisition for Clement's side, and spending £3million on the defender would not be too much of a stretch.

A 22-year-old international, Cordoba has a high ceiling having won the Bulgarian league's Best Defender award last season, and if he can translate that form to the high-stakes environment of Ibrox, he'll quickly become a firm favourite with the Rangers faithful.

In other Rangers news, the Light Blues are now in the hunt to sign an exit-bound sensation from a league rival.

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