Gers in teasing Brazilian winger transfer update as Clement considers options
02/05/2024 13:00
Rangers will need to correct the mistakes of last summer when Philippe Clement goes shopping when the transfer window opens.
The manager indicated what direction he is looking to go in with his January signings, all young and with the potential to improve.
Names have started to emerge and, according to Football Scotland, Rangers have shortlisted winger Raphael Borges Rodrigues.
Rangers face fight for winger Raphael Borges Rodrigues
Raphael was born in the Netherlands to Brazilian parents, which makes for a solid footballing heritage, however, it is Down Under where the 20-year old is making a name for himself.
Playing for Macarthur in Australia's A-League, he has six goals and two assists after leaving Melbourne City to get more regular game time.
These numbers might not be hugely impressive but it is his style of play that is catching the eye as the clip below shows.
Raphael drawing the foul off none other than the son of former Rangers defender Tony Vidmar.
His first goal for Macarthur is also a good example of him being more than happy to stick his head in where it hurts.
The report in Football Scotland claims that Raphael has been discussed as a potential option and it is easy to see why, with clubs like Watford and Coventry City also said to be keeping tabs.
Like Oscar Cortes, he has the physical and technical attributes needed to be a winger for Rangers.
Rodrigues also ticks every box on the player trading model.
A model that Clement knows won't be perfected overnight when asked about his aims to improve this aspect of the club's transfer policy:
"Yes, for sure but it's something you need to build.
"It's not something you can do in one year. You also need to build a reputation as a club.
"It's about the level of the club. If you sell someone for a certain amount and he does really well somewhere else, it opens doors for the next ones.
"People say, 'Ok, he's coming from Rangers, that is somewhere to look'.
"That's something that, for example, Ajax did for a long time. Then if a player was at Ajax or another team, there was a difference in value.
"Brugge have been doing this for a few years. We started that a little bit at that club.
"They have now sold Thiago for 37 million. So, you see every year these amounts become higher and higher because you have created a reputation.
"That's something the club needs to do — to be a platform for young players to develop and then take the next step.
"You need time for that. You don't build a reputation in two or three months."
Raphael is perfect player trading model example
Clement is right.
It won't drastically improve in one transfer window but the foundations are there already.
Players like Calvin Bassey, who is Rangers record sale, Joe Aribo and Glen Kamara have set the way and all three have adapted and are doing well in England now.
In fact, all three could be playing in the Premier League if luck swings their way.
It would be a surprise if Cortes isn't signed on a permanent basis in the summer and Mohamed Diomande will also be confirmed.
Rangers really need more depth on the wings and players who, like Cortes, can carry the ball, use both feet and contribute where it matters most.
Raphael Borges Rodrigues can do all of these things and Rangers have to start signing players before they become too expensive and when they start their upward curve.
There are never any guarantees, but Raphael looks like his career is only heading in one direction.
