Reported Rangers target Mateo Cassierra will sign a three-year deal at Zenit St Petersburg with the Russian Premier League giants investing £4 million in the Sochi striker, Colombian reporter Pipe Sierra writes on Twitter.
With Alfredo Morelos entering the final 12 months of his contract and with Cedric Itten having already cleared out his locker, a new centre-forward looks like a must for a Gers side aiming to snatch the Premiership title back from Old Firm rivals Celtic in 2022/23.
Scotland international Ross Stewart is reportedly Rangers’ number one target, after firing Sunderland to promotion (Northern Echo). Stephen Odey – a one-time Hoops target – is another on name on the wishlist.
Sporting director Ross Wilson will have no choice but to cross off Cassierra, however, with Morelos’ fellow Colombian closing in on a move to a Zenit side who cruised to the Russian Premier League title last season.
Rangers target Mateo Cassierra heading to Zenit
Cassierra’s agent confirmed earlier in the week that a deal with Zenit St Petersburg has been ‘agreed’. This comes after Sochi omitted the one-time West Brom target from their pre-season preparations.
Until now, however, it was uncertain how much Zenit were going to pay for a striker who scored 14 goals last term, finishing second in the RPL’s Golden Boot race. But, according to Sierra, Cassierra will cost around £4 million. The former Ajax youngster will sign a three-year deal with an option for a fourth at the Gazprom Arena.
“I know that this striker had offers from foreign clubs,” says former Zenit coach Alexei Strepetov. “But the football player and his agent made a choice in favour of Zenit.
“He is still young. He has a great future. Cassierra has a wide range of qualities. He knows how to finish chances but also he knows how to open up the pitch perfectly.
“The Colombian is fast and technical. And it is difficult for opponents to take the ball away without fouling him.”
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