Fabio Cardoso is the most typical Jorge Mendes signing at Wolverhampton Wanderers – but Rangers appear to have the Portuguese youngster in their sights.
It appears that Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha is keen to ensure Scottish remains the dominant accent in the Ibrox dressing room.
As reported by the Daily Record, the 46-year-old has monitored ‘six or seven’ homegrown players as he looks to kick-start the Rangers revolution with an almighty squad overhaul.
However, that does not mean Caixinha won’t want to cut through the Glaswegian lilt with a little continental twang. According to the Daily Mail, he wants to raid his Portuguese homeland for one of the nation’s most promising young defenders – 23-year-old Fabio Cardoso.
Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha is a fan
The Portuguese Under-21 international, who has earned rave reviews at Vitoria Setubal, is likely to command a fee of £1.25 million. And with the Daily Record reporting that Rob Kiernan will follow Clint Hill out the Ibrox exit door, the need for reinforcements at the back could hardly be clearer.
Something of a no-nonsense defender not averse to throwing his body in front of the ball of launching a clearance into row Z, Cardoso would certainly be well received by Rangers supporters if he performs with the same solidity at Ibrox.
However, you wonder whether Rangers’ reported interest will spark other suitors into life. And it would be no surprise if English Championship side Wolves were to make their interest known sooner rather than later.
Wolves are expected to be in the market for defenders, particularly with veteran Mike Williamson being released after an injury-hit campaign.
And with Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes given full control of recruitment this summer in something of a pseudo-sporting director capacity, as reported by The Telegraph, a move for the Primera Liga star would come as little surprise.
After all, Cardoso started his career in the Benfica B team – just like three of Wolves’ 2016 summer signings. Ola John, meanwhile, was plucked from The Eagles first-team as Mendes’ connections paid off.
Therefore, if Rangers are interested, they should act fast.
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