Lionel Di Placido could join Rangers from Lanus if James Tavernier leaves Ibrox.
Rangers have identified Lanus’s Argentina right-back Leonel Di Placido as a potential replacement for club captain and key man James Tavernier, according to talkSPORT.
In an ideal world, The Gers would hand a lifetime contract to their armband-wearing assist-machine. But interest in Tavernier is on the rise every time the transfer window opens and, with Crystal Palace failing to sign a replacement for Aaron Wan-Bissaka before last week’s transfer deadline, expect The Eagles to make a move for Tavernier in January.
And it seems that Rangers are already preparing for a worst case scenario.
According to talkSPORT, Di Placido has been lined up as a possible successor for Tavernier. The Gers want him on loan initially, even though Lanus would only demand £1 million for a defender also in the sights of Amiens, who sold Emil Krafth to Newcastle United last week, as well as La Liga duo Espanyol and Leganes.
Buenos Aires-born Di Placido has impressed so much for Lanus in the last 12 months that he was handed a maiden call up for the Argentina national team in September, although he is yet to make his debut for the Albiceleste.
“It shocked me, I wasn’t expecting it,” the 25-year-old told Mundo Albiceleste. “You can’t give up because anyone can be selected.”
A switch to Europe, via Rangers, could be the next step in his development. Though any move for Di Placido is likely to be bittersweet given that Tavernier’s exit probably holds the key.
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