Rangers were reportedly offered the opportunity to bring the fashionable Colombian international to Ibrox for the next winter season.
The £7 million-rated Standard Liege loanee from Brighton, Steven Alzate, is set to become a free agent at the end of the current campaign. Additionally, it is said that Roberto de Zerbi’s side “tried to convince” Rangers to purchase him about six months before he was scheduled to leave The Amex for no reason.
But Rangers refused to give in to the chance to do just that.
Let’s go back to mid-March. While Alzate’s performances in Belgium are now lacking greatly, Mohamed Diomande, the midfield player Rangers signed in his place, looks to be developing into one of the best additions in terms of value for money at a reputed £4.5 million.
Rangers selected Diomande over Alzate, Steven
“Certainly (he can still get better).” Not only the next weeks, the next months and years,” Clement says of Diomande, who grabbed his first Rangers assist during a typically all-action display away to Benfica in the UEFA Europa League.
“He’s a high potential player and I don’t think Rangers will be his last step. Of course, having injuries during your career is not easy. However, if he avoids that, he will take more significant action.
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“He has talent but also the right mentality to work for the team, be very concentrated and very focused.”
It’s fair to say Alzate’s recent displays are not attracting quite so much praise. Standard Liege have won just two of eight league matches since the Brighton loanee made his return from injury. And Alzate’s ineffective performance during Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Genk caught the eye for all the wrong reasons.
Rangers appeared to have got the right man
“Good players have to transcend the team when things are not going well,” former Belgium forward Nordin Jbari tells RTBF. “But Steven Alzate doesn’t talk. He is not a leader.”
“Steven Alzate, what a talent,” adds Cecile De Grenier, the former Standard women’s star. “But he didn’t care (against Genk). He didn’t want to be there.”
You surely cannot target the same allegations against Diomande. The January signing threatening to attain ‘fans favourite’ status in double-quick time.
For a club who have experienced enough of criticism with regards to their recruiting in recent times, the Philippe Clement – Nils Koppen era has undoubtedly started a lot better than the last one ended.
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Explained: Rangers’ deal for Oscar Cortes
TransferRoom performs precisely as advertised.
Clubs, agents, and directors from all over the world come together for this massive gathering in one place.
Next, 15-minute meetings between agencies and clubs seeking players and players wishing to go on create the football equivalent of speed dating.
Top Athlete Management, Cortes’ agency, attended the most recent summit in advance of the January transfer window in an attempt to find a new club for a player who had successfully transitioned to European football but was having trouble finding playing time.
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After witnessing Oscar Cortes receive a fantastic transfer to Rangers, Tomas Sarmiento, the president and owner of the Colombian agency, gave an explanation of why they are grateful for TransferRoom.
Our primary goal is to identify Colombia’s emerging talent and export it to the most important markets on this side of the globe.
“I believe that our decision to become a Trusted Agent on TransferRoom is a major step in positioning us in the broader context of the football market.
TransferRoom, in my opinion, embodies more of the leading edge of the market’s evolution and genuinely gets you seated with the big guys.
After landing Cortes at the previous summit, Kohlen is off to Rome for the next installment, where the summer recruitment plan is probably going to be a top priority.
Oscar Cortes may not be the last player to join Rangers, as the club has demonstrated that South American talent can flourish there. Luka Langoni of Boca Juniors is rumored to be a potential target, along with Brazilian left-back Jefte.
Being a Rangers fan is thrilling right now, and with this strategy, it’s possible that the drab transfers of the past may come to an end.