Rangers targeting Ibrox move for “the new Van Dijk”

The Russell Martin regime is in full swing at Rangers, with the Ibrox aspect having already confirmed seven new signings this summer time, with 21-year-old Djeidi Gassama the most recent of these to reach.

Following what was a largely depressing 2024/25 marketing campaign for Rangers, excluding an encouraging Europa League run, an actual overhaul is required for the Gentle Blues, as they bid to shut the hole on the Premiership summit.

The defensive unit, particularly, appears to be like set to endure noticeable change, with Martin having already introduced in Emmanuel Fernandez, Nasser Djiga and Max Aarons to this point, with veteran centre-back Leon Balogun having departed on a free switch.

With John Souttar attracting curiosity from overseas, alongside Turkish full-back, Ridvan Yilmaz, there appears to be like prone to be additional upheaval earlier than the window is out, guaranteeing there could possibly be a much-needed contemporary look to the Gers’ backline subsequent season.

Whereas Martin’s free-flowing model of soccer will put better emphasis on the attacking ranks to shine, having a stable base to construct from will probably be essential, with latest stories indicating {that a} deal for skilled centre-back, Conor Coady could possibly be within the works.

Capped ten instances for England, the 32-year-old could be a worthy addition to the Ibrox dressing room, albeit with Martin and co maybe having their eyes fastened on a much more thrilling centre-back signing.

Newest on Rangers’ seek for a centre-back

Stories late final week revealed that the Gers had been nonetheless displaying an curiosity in bringing Coady to Glasgow, with that coming following prior claims that Rangers had been really in superior talks for the one-time Wolverhampton Wanderers man.

A deal for the £75k-per-week star – who has a yr left on his contract on the King Energy Stadium – will not be too removed from completion, albeit with the Gers nonetheless preserving their choices open for potential options within the centre of defence.

Certainly, switch guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Previous Agency aspect are among the many golf equipment enthusiastic about signing Xavier Mbuyamba from Dutch outfit, Volendam, with Gent additionally within the combine.

Romano reported that the 23-year-old – who was beforehand on the books at each Barcelona and Chelsea – is obtainable for a price of simply €500k (£434k), having did not conform to a brand new contract together with his present aspect.

It’s claimed that golf equipment in England are additionally eager on the previous Celtic goal, with the race now on to see if Rangers can safe the signature of a doubtlessly game-changing signing.

Why Rangers must signal Mbuyamba

As has already been explored, there’s sure benefit in bringing in a ‘chief’ like Coady, with the Englishman the kind of determine who can change the likes of Balogun, and Connor Goldson earlier than him, because the centre-piece of the defence.

That mentioned, the ageing star could be extra of a short-term repair than a long-term resolution, having additionally been a part of a dismal Leicester aspect that slumped to relegation final day trip, after making 22 Premier League appearances in 2024/25.

Mbuyamba, nonetheless, could possibly be a star each for now and for the long run, having beforehand been hailed as an “elegant and dominant centre-back” by expertise scout Jacek Kulig, who additionally likened him to ex-Manchester Metropolis captain, Vincent Kompany.

For these within the Premiership, a extra attention-grabbing comparability has been drawn up to now between the 6 foot 5 Dutchman and his high-profile compatriot, Virgil van Dijk, with Sky Sports activities stating again in 2023 that such likeness has been famous by ‘coaches and media in Holland as a result of his related enjoying type and large potential’.

That hyperlink to Van Dijk had come amid claims that Celtic had been enthusiastic about signing the then-21-year-old, though two years on, it’d nicely be Martin and Rangers who handle to lastly carry Mbuyamba to Glasgow.

Whereas he was working in Holland’s second tier final season, the in-demand defender did take pleasure in a high quality marketing campaign in all, having showcased his brilliance in each containers, after scoring 5 instances in 34 league outings, whereas offering one help and creating 5 ‘massive possibilities’, as per Sofascore.

Defensively, the towering ace additionally helped to maintain 12 clear sheets, whereas averaging 2.8 tackles and interceptions per recreation. That dominance additionally noticed Mbuyamba win 61% of his complete duels.

As for Coady, whereas he was working at Premier League stage, the one-time Liverpool man scored as soon as, whereas averaging simply 1.2 tackles and interceptions per recreation, alongside successful simply 45% of his complete duels.

That represents a noticeable drop off from his remaining season at Wolves in 2021/22, with the then-Previous Gold skipper – who was working as a part of a again three on the time – scoring 4 objectives, whereas averaging 1.5 tackles and interceptions and successful 53% of his complete duels.

Whether or not, at 32, Coady is merely now on the decline, or maybe higher suited to life in a again three, is up for debate, however both approach, his latest woes ought to have alarm bells ringing for these at Ibrox.

As for Mbuyamba, the previous Netherlands youth worldwide nonetheless seems to be a participant on the rise, with it an thrilling prospect to contemplate whether or not or not “the brand new Van Dijk” – as described by journalist Tom Maston – might flourish beneath Martin’s watch.

On the proof of his latest kind, Coady has already hit his ceiling as a participant. Mbuyamba’s potential is but to be actually explored…