Rangers trigger summer rebuild with latest transfer swoop as Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen get to work

Panamanian defender Cordoba reportedly in advanced talks over move to Ibrox

Rangers have set the wheels in motion for a summer overhaul of their defence as they move closer to the signing of Jose Cordoba.

The Govan club is in advanced talks with Levski Sofia, according to the Rangers Review, over the purchase of the Panamanian centre-half, who has a year left on his current contract in Bulgaria. It is claimed that Rangers will pay a transfer fee in the region of £3million for Cordoba and that the 22-year-old was present at Ibrox last weekend to take in Sunday’s 4-1 victory over Kilmarnock.

A left-sided centre-half, Cordoba has been capped ten times by Panama and started his career with Independiente in his homeland. He moved to Celta Viga in 2020 but was unable to make an impact at the Spanish La Liga club. He moved to Etar in Bulgaria and then Levski on a permanent deal in 2022, where he has been a stand-out. He is unlikely to prolong his current deal in Sofia and it is claimed that Rangers have made their move.

Rangers have been heavily linked with Panamanian defender Jose Cordoba.

Philippe Clement, who took over at Ibrox in October, has yet to reinforce his defensive options since arriving at the club but is understood to be keen for a new-look defence for next season and has worked on a list of targets with recruitment chief Nils Koppen. Left-back Borna Barisic and centre-half Leon Balogun are out of contract next month, while long-serving duo James Tavernier and Connor Goldson have been linked with a move to the Saudi Arabian Pro League. Ben Davies, Rangers’ only naturally left-sided centre-half, has only featured fleetingly under Clement, although he is likely to partner John Souttar in Saturday’s Old Firm derby clash against Celtic.

Clement brought in forwards Fabio Silva and Oscar Cortes on loan in January and also secured midfielder Mohamed Diomande but with much of Rangers’ budget spent last summer by former boss Michael Beale, the ex-Monaco manager has to wait until the current campaign ends before he can properly address his rebuild. In addition to Barisic and Balogun, midfielders Ryan Jack and John Lundstram are out of contract and no progress has been made on their futures, while players out on loan such as Sam Lammers, Ianis Hagi and Jose Cifuentes could be deemed surplus to requirements in a bid to free up wages.