Antonio Colak missed PAOK’s friendly clash with AZ Alkmaar on Wednesday with coach Razvan Lucescu confirming that a replacement for the Rangers target is on his way to Greece, as reported by SportDog.
Is that a cloud of white smoke we can see billowing out of Ibrox?
After weeks of waiting, after weeks of negotiations, Rangers appear to have reached a breakthrough in their pursuit of a striker who scored 22 goals during an outstanding loan spell at Malmo last term – including two against his future employers in the Champions League qualifiers.
According to The Herald, Colak travelled to Glasgow on Wednesday to undergo a medical at the Scottish Premiership runners-up. Perhaps that is why the 28-year-old Croatia international was nowhere to be seen during POAK’s 2-2 draw with AZ Alkmaar.
Colak cannot be in two places at once after all.
Rangers on verge of signing PAOK’s Antonio Colak
Lucescu’s concerns about a lack of attacking depth at PAOK appeared to be holding up the deal last week. The Greek Super League outfit have just one other centre-forward after all – the now-injured Nelson Oliveira.
But the final obstacle has now been cleared out of Rangers’ path. Brandon Thomas will arrive from Malaga to fill a Colak-shaped hole at the Toumba Stadium.
“I know that a striker will join in the next few days,” Lucescu says. “He will be in preparations in Thessaloniki. I am waiting for a striker.”
Colak has already agreed personal terms with Rangers. The journeyman striker, who will set the club back around £1.8 million, is expected to sign a three-year deal.
“It would be a huge move for Antonio to sign for Rangers,” predicts former Malmo ace Daniel Larsson. “This would be a big step to a massive club.
“He’s growing as a player and he would be a huge success at Rangers.”
“I know what he’s capable of and he’s scored goals throughout his career at a variety of clubs. You rarely see a harder worker. He is very strong inside the box. He’s also a clever link-up player and good at getting into the right positions to receive the ball.
“He’s growing as a player and he would be a huge success at Rangers.”
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