Rangers should replace Jeffte with Ibrox’s dive for the “offensive” £13 million star

Glasgow Rangers head coach Russell Martin isn’t proud of how his workforce started the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership season.

Mild Blues didn’t win each opening matches within the Division and drew 1-1 with Motherwell on the primary day earlier than drawing 1-1 with Dundee for Ibrox.

There may be nonetheless loads of time left in the summertime switch window to do extra work to make sure the Scottish giants are able to compete for the trophies this season.

Whereas the main focus is on incoming calls to excite supporters and enhance the present beginning lineup, new reviews counsel that Martin could also be shedding gamers from the enjoying workforce.

In keeping with Brazilian journalists Andre Hernan and Bruno Andrade, Palmeiras is within the means of finalizing a contract for Jeffte from Mild Blues this summer time, a everlasting transfer for the defender.

After shifting from Fluminense, solely a yr after Ibrox, the 21-year-old expertise seems to be leaving Glasgow on his means again to his dwelling nation.

Why is promoting Jefte a blow to rangers?

Dropping a left-footed ace shall be successful for the Rangers within the brief time period as he’s the one senior left-footed left-back that Martin has ever utilized this season.

Ridvan Yilmaz has not created a single match-day workforce in its 2025/26 marketing campaign and has not too long ago been reported to have reached an settlement with Besiktas a few return to Turkey. Which means Jefte’s proposed transfer to Palmeiras leaves Martin on his aspect with out a left-back together with his left foot. In consequence, Max Aaron returned to his place and appeared extraordinarily uncomfortable in direction of Panatinaicus and Motherwell.

Jefte is not a completed article or good left-back for the Rangers, however the 21-year-old Jewel naturally balances his workforce as a left-footed participant in that place.

As you may see within the desk above, the Brazilian defender did not have a very horrible first season with Ibrox within the Premiership. He began 30 out of 38 video games, incomes most of his bodily duels within the deck and air.

Nonetheless, Jefte had a problem that was not simple to trace with a stats sheet. Typically, the fullback is not going to acknowledge the participant over his shoulder and can catch him sleeping on the again put up for objectives.

Palmeiras’ goal additionally did not have one of the best sport towards Dundee within the premiership final weekend. He accomplished solely certainly one of 5 crosses, making an attempt 5 crosses, and was tackled with 4 of the dribble making an attempt 5 dribble per couch rating.

Placing all this collectively, whereas it is a blow for Mild Blues to lose their first selection left again within the brief time period, it additionally provides a chance to enhance their groups by swooping for brand spanking new choices in that space of the pitch.

The Rangers and Celtic have not too long ago linked their curiosity in Monaco’s fullback Casom Watara, which has been valued at round £13 million from the French aspect.

A everlasting deal that shall be a membership file for each golf equipment is unlikely, and it was argued that the Glasgow big may overlook the mortgage route of the 20-year-old Dynamo if potential.

Why Rangers Ought to Signal Kasoumu Watara

Gers could possibly be a fantastic addition to the workforce as Jefte’s alternative, so in a transfer for him this month, he’ll must push Celtic to beat the Ouattara signature earlier than the top of the summer time switch window.

Because the Brazilian transfer to Palmeiras has been reported, the Rangers might want to discover a left-footed left again that may present sufficient high quality to enhance Martin’s workforce, and the Monaco youth seems to suit the invoice.

Younger Defender solely began out 5 of his 12 appearances on high flights in France through the 2024/25 marketing campaign per couch rating, however confirmed off his high quality in Monaco’s restricted outings.

Watara additionally performed in League 2 for Amiens within the 2023/24 marketing campaign, catching eye with 3.3 tackles and interceptions and 6.1 ball restoration per sport.

Nonetheless, his efficiency in Monaco’s League One in latest season confirmed what he is doing together with his greatest offense. The £13 million rated fullback was an efficient offensive left flank with the power to commonly create teammate alternatives within the ultimate third.

As you may see within the desk above, Ouattara’s assault output was much more spectacular than Jefte was within the Rangers’ premiere.

These statistics present that the French starlet has a distinguished potential as an offensive left-back, as they’ve virtually thrice the XAs in comparison with the Brazilians.

Analyst and creator Kai Watson described Otara as a “very aggressive” fullback. These statistics actually help that declare as they’re distinctive passerby and crossher about proof of his type in one of many main European leagues.

However the job for him is to show he can do it all through the season. The transfer to Ibrox provides him the platform to do exactly that, with the areas that Jefte is free on the left again if he strikes, and with the workforce competing for the title this season.

Subsequently, Mild Blues ought to be shifting to signal Oatala from Monaco this summer time.