Rangers chase loan for City Football Group talent, decision made in past 24 hours - report

Rangers have missed out on a loan move for Troyes youngster Metinho after he re-signed with Sparta Rotterdam, according to Premier League Brasil.

The South American outlet reported via their website on 24 June that the 21-year-old had rejoined the Eredivisie side on loan for a second consecutive season earlier that day, despite attempts to bring him in from both the Light Blues and Swiss side Basel.

Leicester City wanted to buy the midfielder but transfer negotiations between him, Troyes, the French Ligue 2 club who are part of the City Football Group headed by Manchester City, and the Foxes broke down.

Metinho, the DR Congo-born Brazilian, therefore decided to head back to Rotterdam where he made 28 appearances last season.

Philippe Clement misses out on Metinho deal at Rangers

Metinho fits the profile of player who Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen have often favoured since their arrival at Ibrox.

A 21-year-old talent with links to South America he would fit into a similar bracket to two of the signings already secured this summer in Brazilian full-back Jefte and Colombian winger Oscar Cortes, as well as targets such as 20-year-old Uruguayan midfielder Damian Garcia and 23-year-old Panamanian defender Jose Cordoba.

They haven’t been successful in this pursuit where the youngster would have joined a central midfield unit that has rapidly become one of the youngest areas of the squad.

Connor Barron, 21, has been brought in after leaving Aberdeen this summer, as Mohamed Diomande, 22, saw his loan turned into a permanent deal.

Nico Raskin, 23, now finds himself the senior man as things stand, following the exits of Ryan Jack, 32, and John Lundstram, 30, as their contracts expired, and the retirement last season of 39-year-old Steven Davis.

Clement had to wait to land Jefte so he may continue to keep his eye on Metinho with a view to sign him at a later date, but for now he and Koppen will have to look elsewhere for further midfield help.

In other Rangers news, terms have been agreed for a new arrival at Ibrox within days to join Clement’s team.

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