Rangers are reportedly lining up a move for Portugal international Bruno Alves.
Bruno Alves celebrates
According to The Express, Rangers are interested in bringing Portuguese defender Bruno Alves to Ibrox this summer as Pedro Caixinha lines up new signings.
The Gers made a strong start to life under new boss Caixinha, going unbeaten in his first five games in charge, but successive defeats to Celtic – including last weekend’s 5-1 defeat at Ibrox – have left Caixinha with plenty of work to do.
After a 5-1 defeat, it’s no surprise that defensive reinforcements are at the top of Caixinha’s wish list, and after AS reported that Santos Laguna duo Jose Abella and Carlos Izquierdoz are Rangers targets, another defender appears to be wanted.
The Express report that manager Caixinha wants to bring compatriot Bruno Alves to Ibrox this summer, almost a year after the Cagliari centre back won Euro 2016 with Portugal.
Portugal’s Bruno Alves in action with Wales’ Hal Robson-Kanu
Alves, 35, made his name during spells with Porto, Zenit Saint Petersburg and Fenerbahce, before moving on to Cagliari last summer, where he has made 33 Serie A appearances, scoring one goal for the 12th-placed side.
A strong, powerful and uncompromising centre back known for his aggressive style of play, Alves has bags of experience both domestically and on the international stage, with Caixinha seemingly wanting him to lead the Rangers back line.
Cagliari’s Bruno Alves in action against Roma
Rangers may have to pay a nominal fee for Alves, given that he still has one year left on his Cagliari contract, but with both Clint Hill and Philippe Senderos out of contract this summer, an experienced centre back could be a smart target.
It’s even added that Caixinha could call upon former Rangers midfielder and current agent Pedro Mendes to help strike a deal, with the intention of convincing his former international team-mate into making the move to Glasgow.
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