Ibrox view: Frustration grows as Rangers transfer talks fail for another int'l defender

Rangers have missed out on another defensive transfer target this summer as Thomas Galdames is heading to Russia instead of Ibrox.

The Light Blues were looking at the Chilean as an alternative to Jose Cordoba after they abruptly pulled out of the running for the “key target” early in the summer despite the Panama international having already been given a tour of the facilities [Rangers Review, 29 May].

A cut-price deal was potentially on the cards [Daily Record, 29 May] as journalist Juan Esteban Suraci reported via X on 28 May that the 25-year-old’s transfer abroad was already in the process being finalised ahead of his last game for Godoy Cruz that week.

Una De Más journalist Gonzalo Conti had reported the same day that Galdames had interest from Rangers.

Philippe Clement misses out on another Rangers target

The Light Blues then were reported to be in talks with Godoy Cruz who wanted to sell him ahead of the expiry of his contract at the end of December [Nahuel Ferreira, 31 May] while the player himself admitted he dreamed of played in Europe when asked about links to an Ibrox move [Derek Clark, 6 June].

It has now emerged via En Cancha in Chile (16 July) that Galdames is set to join Krylia Sovetov in the Russian Premier League on a three-year deal with a contract to be signed within days.

The writing may have been on the wall for Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen when the matter went quiet for a few weeks but the development sees the left-sided defender join a growing list of targets who have proven impossible to land.

Striker’s who had generated interest and midfielders who the club were in the running for are also heading elsewhere in recent days while sought-after goal-scorers the Gers were thought to be leading the race for [Football Scotland, 17 June] are set to stay put to add to a frustrating situation at present.

Thomas Galdames to Kyrlia Sovetov after Jose Cordoba to Norwich

The Belgian pair appear to be struggling to bring in the second wave of experienced signings to follow the youthful first group as exit-linked incumbents have still not been sold.

Jefte has been brought in at left-back and Clinton Nsiala has been signed as a new central option but both are 20 and may not be ready to impact the line-up yet.

At 25 and with his first international cap won this year Galdames could have been a more senior option to help cover both areas, particularly after the exit of Borna Barisic.

But that looks like it won’t be happening, and to miss out on him when he only became an option when now-Norwich man Cordoba proved impossible could be doubly-frustrating for Clement and Koppen.

In other Rangers news, the Light Blues have made an approach to sign a title-winning new midfielder.

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