With January on the horizon, rumours are hotting up regarding Ibrox arrivals.
Mark Warburton has told the Daily Record that Rangers are on the verge of signing a midfielder in the January transfer window – at precisely the time speculation is increasing over a move for former Brentford playmaker Jota.
The Scottish Sun reported recently that former Bees boss Warburton had ventured out to Spain for talks with the gifted Spanish schemer, who is currently finding game time hard to come by on loan at Eibar from Griffin Park.
The La Liga side’s sporting director, Fran Garagarza, admitted that Jota may choose to terminate his loan deal at Ipurua Stadium, while reports have suggested that Brentford would be willing to let him go to Rangers once he returns to British shores.
And Warburton has done little to dampen speculation by claiming that a new midfielder will be rocking up at Ibrox very soon.
“January is notoriously difficult because clubs don’t want to lose their best players and if you do sign someone, you end up paying more than they are actually worth,” Warburton said in quotes reported by the Daily Record.
“So I’d imagine one or two loans is the best option for us in January with a view to whatever happens in the summer.
“The midfield is an area that is well documented [that Rangers need to strengthen]. We lost Niko Kranjcar to a long-term injury so we’re looking for an attacking midfielder if one becomes available.”
“But they have to add quality to the squad. We are close.”
Jota certainly fits the bill, with his balance and vision befitting of a player reared under the Mediterranean sun.
In his one season with Brentford, the 25-year-old scored 11 times from a playmaking position and, with goalscoring hardly a strongpoint of the midfielders at Warburton’s disposal, Jota could add another dimension to Rangers’ attack.
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