The out-of-favour Watford right-back has joined Olympiakos for the remainder of the season after previously being linked with Rangers.
Watford defender Juan Carlos Paredes has joined Olympiakos on loan for the remainder of the season, Sky Sports reports, putting an end to speculation that Rangers were interested in making him their marquee mid-season signing.
The 68-time Ecuadorian international has fallen out of favour under Walter Mazzarri this season due to a combination of the Italian’s adoption of a 3-5-2 formation and the influx of new reinforcements for the right-back role.
In fact, Paredes’ only appearance in Watford colours came in the EFL Cup defeat to Gillingham at the start of the season and, according to Sky Sports, perennial Greek champions Olympiakos have handed him a temporary escape route with the option of signing him permanently in the summer.
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This comes just two weeks after the Daily Record reported that Rangers were ready to take him to Ibrox for £2million, a move that would make him their most expensive signing since Nikica Jelavic arrived in 2010.
However, although he would have brought a wealth of experience to a largely youthful squad, Rangers are hardly blessed with endless funds and a relatively hefty fee for a player who has only featured once all season hardly represents value for money.
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Therefore, it is unlikely that Paredes’ influence would have justified his price tag. Rangers could put the money to far better use, improving the core strength of a rather average squad.
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