Rangers fans’ guide to Buffon-endorsed Sebastiano Desplanches amid transfer latest
Sebastiano Desplanches is among the options for Rangers as a goalkeeper signing.
Jack Butland has often been a point of contention for the Gers, and it looks like his time could be ending.
Over the last few days, plenty of goalkeeper links have been emerging and that would spell bad news for the Englishman.
Hull City's Ivor Pandur is an option for Rangers, with Butland touted to be going the other way but Desplanches is another interesting name to keep an eye on.
The Ibrox club look to be casting their net even wider than the United Kingdom.
The Gers' links with Desplanches offer plenty of questions, but the words of all-time great Gianluigi Buffon may quell any concerns about a player the Ibrox faithful may not know much about.
Who is Sebastiano Desplanches?
Desplanches is a 23-year-old Italian goalkeeper who has now been linked with Rangers by Sky Sports Italy.
The Glasgow-based side are not alone in the race, with Norwich City also among those interested.
The young goalkeeper spent last season on loan at Pescara, but his parent club is Palermo.
And he is set to return ahead of pre-season taking place where he has a contract until 2028.
As an Italian goalkeeper for the Pink and Blacks, comparisons to Buffon are to be expected, seeing as it was the club the legendary figure broke through at.
And Buffon delivered his verdict on the Rangers-linked ace back during the 2023 under-20s European Championship.
Those comments were shared by Gazzetta dello Sport, with Buffon stating about Desplanches: "He did things well, with great clarity. He has everything it takes to become a great goalkeeper.
"All he needs is the final step: establishing himself among the greats."
What type of goalkeeper is Desplanches?
While Buffon is an idol for Desplanches, as shared by the player himself, he bases his game more around AC Milan number one Mike Maignan.
The Italian spent eight years in the Milan club's academy so it was only natural for him to look up to the Frenchman.
In an interview with Icon Magazine as relayed by Milan Press, he said: "The greatest of all was Buffon , but my point of reference is Mike Maignan , with whom I trained often during my time at AC Milan."
Desplanches then went on to describe the type of shot-stopper he is saying: "I am a very courageous goalkeeper, I assert myself especially when coming out of the box and I have excellent ability to read the play.”
Last season, Desplanches was unfortunate to be part of a Pescara side that finished in last place in Serie B and were the worst defence in the second division.
However, he did emerge as their top performer according to Sofascore issuing him a seasonal rating of 7.09.
He also managed to keep a positive expected goals prevented of 1.21. So, despite the poor goals record, he seems to be able to hold his own when facing plenty of shots.