The David Weir connection Rangers can use as Antef Tsoungui transfer chance arises

Rangers could be set to offer Antef Tsoungui a second shot at leaving Estoril this summer.

The 23-year-old was close to joining Saint-Etienne - managed by
Ian Cathro - earlier this window.

That move fell through, however, and he remains an Estoril player ahead of the transfer window closing early next month.

But Rangers have now emerged as an interested party for the former Chelsea product.

The Gers have already recruited Olwethu Makhanya and Ben Godfrey this summer, but another centre-back could be incoming.

And Rangers have an obvious connection in David Weir who could help with the transfer.

What has been reported on Rangers' interest in Antef Tsoungui

Rangers' immediate focus is on Jablonec in their Europa Conference League playoff tie on Thursday night.

However, a few hours ahead of kickoff, ESPN have shared news of the Gers wanting to sign Tsoungui, who also played regularly as a holding midfielder last season.

The report explains that the Brussels-born player's move to Saint-Etienne fell through as a fee could not be agreed between the clubs.

Estoril are after somewhere between £4.3million and £5.1m for Tsoungui.

Southampton are also interested in Tsoungui, as are a host of other unnamed clubs on the continent.

Who is Rangers target Tsoungui?

The report describes Tsoungui as a "highly-rated 23-year-old" - and the stats do back that up.

As pointed out in the same report, he was fifth in the Portuguese top flight last season for ball recoveries in his own half.

He was also third for the most defensive ground duels won against other defensive midfielders, so that gives a taster of what he is all about.

Capped once by Belgium at Under-21s level, Tsoungui spent time in Brighton's academy, which at the time was being overseen by Weir.

The former Rangers figure has spoken highly of Tsoungui in the past, and it may well be the Gers use that link when it comes to persuading the player to choose them over a number of others.

Whether he is used as a centre-back or a holding midfielder, he certainly seems to tick plenty of boxes for McInnes.