Rangers attacker ‘could be hot’ transfer candidate this week

Rangers’ Rabbi Matondo has struggled for regular game time and his situation didn’t change after Philippe Clement arrived at Ibrox last October.

The winger joined Rangers from Schalke 04 in 2022 and has clocked less than 1900 minutes from 47 games, including 752 minutes from 19 games this season.

Bild state 1. FSV Mainz 05 could open their door for him to leave Philippe Clement’s side and return to Germany in the winter market.

The Bundesliga side are keen on bolstering their attack in the last few days of this window and have identified a few candidates who ‘could be hot’, including the Rangers player.

It’s claimed the Wales international’s decision to join Rangers ‘hasn’t paid off’ so far. Bild then question whether this may lead to Philippe Clement’s side sanctioning a loan move for him.

Mainz director of sport Christian Heidel knows the 23-year-old very well from their time at Schalke.

It was Heidel who signed the current Rangers attacker for Schalke from Manchester City in 2019 and it needs to be seen whether he’ll make another attempt to sign him, this time for Mainz.

On the need to strengthen their attack, Mainz director Martin Schmidt said: “We don’t need a 9 because we have size up front. What we need is a player with creativity, pace and goal threat. The most likely option is a loan or someone whose contract is expiring.”

Matondo’s deal at Ibrox lasts until 2026 and Mainz could consider taking him away from Rangers only on a loan deal.