Rangers have closed in on the signing of left back Jefté Vital da Silva Dias from Fluminese with the news that former LB target Gijs Smal is switching Twente for Feyenoord, as reported by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

The Italian heavyweight of transfer stories said:

“The agreement between Feyenoord and Gijs Smal to join as free agent in the summer is almost done, despite no formal confirmation from player side yet.

Verbal pact in place and soon time to sign the contract as Smal turned down a proposal from abroad to join Feyenoord.”

This target wasn’t overly serious in truth, but at 26-years-old Smal was not the right model for Philippe Clement who much prefers to go with young players, with all January signings being 22 or younger.

26 is already seen as too old for the Belgian manager, who may still make the odd signing of an older vintage this summer, but generally prefers his new players to be under 25.

Smal?

Mediocre stats this season:

One assists in 21 matches, and for a club who relies on dynamic full backs who can help with attack, this is well below standard.

But the Brazilian Jefte?

7 goals and assists in 28 in Cyprus at just 20 years old does suggest he’s a much better prospect and has a lot more improvement to come. He also fits into Clement’s style far better.

The understanding is there is an agreement already in place to secure him this summer, after his loan club APOEL blocked his release and demanded a transfer fee for a player who wasn’t even their own.

Either way, he returns to Brazil in the summer and Rangers should then sign him as the deputy for Ridvan Yilmaz.

You’ve probably guessed Borna Barisic is very much out of the equation now.