Are Ibrox side Glasgow Rangers about to capture Umaro Balde?
It looks like Rangers’ would-be acquisition of Umaro Balde is getting a lot closer to materialising.
The Glasgow Evening Times claimed last month that Rangers would be signing the 16-year-old Sporting Lisbon whiz, who impressed on a trial with the Ibrox side earlier in the year.
Balde came through the ranks with Sporting and, according to Portuguese publication Record, the transfer could be done and dusted in the coming days.
Record added the teenager rejected the chance to extend his contract at the Jose Alvalade Stadium club.
Interestingly, the Bissau-born midfielder and Kane Ritchie-Hosler, another prodigious talent set for Auchenhowie, began following one another on Twitter last month.
Balde is a defensive midfielder and it’ll be interesting to see how he develops under Graeme Murty next term and beyond.
He must have already impressed at Auchenhowie following his trial, and time will tell if he can kick on.
The Gers could do with a new midfield anchor this summer, but Balde is nowhere near old or experienced enough to seriously make waves in Steven Gerrard’s senior side.
If it happens this week, it could be Rangers’ third summer signing, following confirmed deals for Jordan Jones – who officially joined in January – and Jake Hastie.
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