Rangers look likely to bring in a new midfielder this summer, but just who Steven Gerrard will sign remains to be seen.
The Gers have been linked with the likes of Niklas Dorsch, Dejan Ljubicic and Lewis Ferguson have all been touted as Rangers targets, pointing towards a defensively-minded midfielder coming in.
The Scotsman reported just days ago that Rangers are nearing a £3.8million deal for Amiens midfielder Bongani Zungu – but there is another name in the mix.
CSKA Sofia star Kristiyan Malinov is being heavily linked with Rangers, and his agent has been speaking about a potential deal.
Agent Marko Mihalevich has told the Daily Record that he is in ‘daily contact’ with Rangers about a move for Malinov, but there is real competition.
Teams in Germany and Turkey both want to sign Malinov, but Mihalevich claims a move to Universitatea Craiova in Romania won’t be happening.
“We maintain daily contact with Rangers, but we cannot ignore other teams who also want Kristiyan,” said Mihalevich. “Rangers have told us they like his qualities and fighting spirit. He will choose the club that offers him the best development project. He is an ambitious player and it is important to him to play in an ambitious team.”
“CSKA know the situation and are aware that Kristiyan wants to take the next step in his career. They have put a fair price on him, in my opinion and they are prepared to sell him. He’s been one of their best and most consistent players. There’s been speculation about him going to Universitatea Craiova in Romania, but that’s not true. But there are teams in Germany and Turkey who are certainly interested,” he added.
Malinov, 26, is another defensive midfielder on the Rangers radar, and he did grab three goals and three assists this past season.
He isn’t the biggest of midfielders at 5ft 7in tall, but he is quick and uses the ball well, and may well be a Rangers target if they can’t get a deal done for Zungu.
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