Malaga’s experienced striker could be on the move in the summer – but could he find a home with fellow Portuguese-speaker Caixinha at Rangers.
Rangers supporters may not have been particularly enamoured by the fact that the club’s summer transfer policy seemed to revolve around handing seemingly over-the-hill veterans one last chance.
Yet, that does not mean that every experienced free-agent should suffer by association just because the signings of Philippe Senderos and Joey Barton can be categorised more as madness than a masterstroke.
If Pedro Caixinha wants to close the gap to Celtic next season, he will have to do so with one hand tied behind his back in the transfer market. Chairman Dave King, as Rangers supporters will tell you with bitterness in their voice, is not exactly a frivolous spender.
Therefore, the free agent market could still be very useful to the Ibrox giants – provided they target players with the right profile, attitude and skill set.
And, if they are looking for an upgrade on the disappointing Joe Garner, who has contributed just four goals since arriving from Preston last summer, a trip to the Costa Del Sol could prove beneficial.
Because Malaga’s Charles, a 32-year-old Brazilian striker who appears a perfect fit for the Scottish game, is out of contract at the end of the season. Furthermore, the mid-table La Liga outfit are hardly rolling in cash. Rangers could possibly even offer him a wage increase.
Charles has hardly been helped by his team-mates’ toothless performances this season but a tally of 12 La Liga goals last season indicated that this is a striker who thrives on service. A beast in the air and excellent with his back to goal, the experienced frontman could offer physicality and presence to Rangers’ frontline.
His reliable goal threat wouldn’t go amiss either. Especially with 37-year-old top scorer Kenny Miller out of contract in June and Martyn Waghorn linked with a return to England.
However, with fellow Portuguese-speaker Caixinha at the helm, Charles’ qualities wouldn’t be lost in translation in Glasgow.
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