Sport
20-year-old seems ready to ditch title charge to sign for Rangers this week
Rangers are closing in on signing Fluminense talent Jefte as the APOEL loanee prepares to ditch one potential title charge for another.
Rangers added January signing number two on Friday as Mohamed Diomande arrived from Nordsjaelland in a hefty £4.3million move.
Diomande joins Fabio Silva at Rangers and there may yet be more new faces to come before this week’s transfer deadline.
Another left back seems to be a priority amid question marks over the long-term futures of both Borna Barisic and Ridvan Yilmaz.
Rangers are moving in on a surprise target with Brazilian left back Jefte now looking likely to join the Gers ahead of the window closing.
Jefte isn’t a household name by any stretch of the imagination, but he has played a big part in a title charge this season.
Jefte looks set to give up APOEL title charge for Rangers push
The Brazilian is currently on loan at Cypriot side APOEL Nicosia from Fluminense having struggled to break through with the Copa Libertadores winners.
Jefte has made a big impact this season, showing his attacking qualities from left back with three goals and four assists in 18 league games.
APOEL and Jefte now sit top of the league in Cyprus, four points clear of Aris Limassol – one of Rangers’ Europa League opponents earlier this season.
APOEL haven’t won the league title since 2019 but Jefte now seems ready to ditch a title charge in Cyprus for a move to Glasgow.
After all, Rangers do still have some hope of winning the Scottish Premiership title this season.
Five points adrift of Celtic with a game in hand, Rangers are still pushing and January signings will be vital to any push for top spot under Philippe Clement.
Jefte would fit that bill and the Brazilian is now closing in on swapping one title race for another in a rather bold step for his career.
There haven’t been too many Brazilians to turn out for Rangers; Jefte is set to join Danilo at Ibrox and follow in the footsteps of players like Emilson Cribari and Emerson.
Jefte seemingly believes that Rangers is the right move for his career and is willing to give up a potential title-winning campaign with APOEL to make it happen.
Who knows, maybe Jefte will end the season having played a role in two title wins – one with APOEL and one with Rangers.
