Scottish Premiership boss coy on signing 20-year-old, Rangers reportedly target £500k Ibrox deal

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Rangers have been linked with Benedito Mambuene Mukendi and Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin has been coy on his rumoured interest.

We would forgive you for having never heard of Mukendi.

The 20-year-old – who also goes by the name ‘Beni’ – primarily plays as a central midfielder with CD Trofense in Portugal’s second tier.

The Angolan talent joined Trofense from Petroleos Luanda in 2020 and is turning heads over in Portugal.

Mukendi has made 10 league appearances this season with two assists to his name.

Out of contract at the end of the season according to Transfermarkt, Mukendi may be looking to make a move to Scotland.

The Scottish Sun claim that Rangers are interested in signing Mukendi in a deal worth around £500,000.

Braga are also understood to be interested with Portuguese clubs understandably paying close attention.

Then there is Aberdeen, with the Press and Journal reporting Mukendi is also on the radar at Pittodrie.

Aberdeen boss plays down interest in Rangers target Mukendi

Aberdeen looked towards the Portuguese market earlier this year as they swooped to sign winger Luis Lopes – known as ‘Duk’ – from Benfica.

Duk has already bagged six goals and five assists in 16 league outings for Aberdeen with the 22-year-old looking like an inspired signing.

Dons boss Jim Goodwin has now been asked about Mukendi and was very coy in his response.

Goodwin has told Football Scotland that Aberdeen are ultimately looking at a number of potential signings for January.

Goodwin didn’t play down the links to Mukendi, simply suggesting that time will tell who Aberdeen are able to sign as they don’t want to ‘stand still’.

It would be difficult for Aberdeen to compete with Rangers if they were in a straight fight for Mukendi, but the success of Duk may help them recruit other players in Portugal.

£500,000 would be a decent outlay for Aberdeen but Goodwin’s comments will leave Rangers looking over their shoulder with the Dons potentially interested in Mukendi.