Jose Cordoba emerges as Philippe Clement’s first summer signing

Jose Cordoba emerges as Philippe Clement’s first summer signing

Rangers are in advanced discussions to sign defender Jose Cordoba, as manager Philippe Clement looks to improve his backline for his first full season at Ibrox.

Cordoba has emerged as a top priority for Clement ahead of what may be another busy summer of signings and departures, with numerous first-team players’ futures uncertain.

Cordoba, according to The Rangers Review, was in attendance on Sunday to watch Clement’s side keep their Premiership title hopes alive with a 4-1 victory over Kilmarnock. Rangers will now try to finalise a deal as the 22-year-old prepares to depart Bulgarian club Levski Sofia ahead of the new season.

Cordoba, a Panamanian internationalist, moved to Sofia two years ago and has also had stints with Etar and Celta Vigo. He is contracted to Levski until next summer.

Clement must decide on the futures of Leon Balogun, who will be out of contract at the end of the season, as well as periphery goalkeepers Ben Davies and Leon King. Despite speculation of a reunion with Steven Gerrard in Saudi Arabia, the Belgian has previously stated that Connor Goldson will be a part of his future plans.

The summer window is Clement’s opportunity to stamp his mark on the squad that he took over from Michael Beale in October, and Nils Koppen, who was named as director of football recruitment earlier this year, will be a tremendously significant figure throughout the close season.

According to reports from Central America, Rangers will have to pay up to £3 million to sign Cordoba this summer amid interest from Turkey and France in the centre half.

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