Rangers will reportedly pay big to sign Sweden centre-back Filip Helander from Serie A outfit Bologna.
Bologna’s sporting director Riccardo Bigon has admitted to the Daily Record that talks are underway to sell Swedish international centre-back Filip Helander to Rangers.
Well, Steven Gerrard did warn us. He told The Herald after Tuesday’s 4-0 Europa League thrashing of St Joseph’s that a new defensive signing was imminent within the next 48 hours. And he wasn’t lying.
Aftonbladet then broke the news that Helander was on his way to Ibrox with Rangers putting the finishing touches on a deal which was reported to cost £4.2 million, making the 26-year-old their biggest signing since Barry Ferguson returned to Glasgow from Blackburn Rovers in 2005.
And while Bologna chief Bigon was unwilling to give too much away, he did confirm that Rangers had entered negotiations over a deal for a player with seven Sweden caps to his name who joined the Italian outfit for £1.8 million for Hellas Verona.
“Yes, we are talking right now about this possible transfer,” he told the Daily Record. “I can’t tell you any more than that because the discussions are not yet complete. But we hope to have an agreement very soon.”
That ‘very soon’ comment looks particularly promising. Gerrard did say he hoped to get the deal done within 48 hours and, as it stands Rangers are absolutely on track. And this looks like a real statement signing for a Gers side who are putting together a very impressive squad.
Director of football Mark Allen has shown his nous by landing Joe Aribo, Greg Stewart, George Edmundson, Jordan Jones and Jake Hastie either for free or on cut-price deals, just months after Glen Kamara arrived for a nominal fee.
That meant Rangers could save up money for a real marquee signing. And Helander looks like the man.
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