Rabbi Matondo and Lewis Travis to be makeweights in Rangers and Blackburn double-deal

Rabbi Matondo and Lewis Travis could now be used as makeweights in a pair of deals between Rangers and Blackburn, according to the Scottish Sun.

 

The paper reported via their website on 23 August that the Rovers captain had been spotted being given a VIP tour of the club’s training facilities.

And with the Daily Mail reporting on 22 August that Matondo now looks “destined” for Ewood Park after being considered by Leeds United the latest report suggests a deal in either direction could be linked before the transfer deadline.

 

Philippe Clement has stated that exit-bound players being stuck at the club has made it harder to make new signings, but a one-in one-out transaction could now be possible.

 

Philippe Clement to swap Rangers winger for midfielder?

There certainly needs to be significant movement in both directions before the 30 August deadline or the Gers squad is going to be left looking understrength until at least January.

 

Matondo has shown flashes of brilliance in his time at Ibrox, such as the dramatic stoppage-time equaliser against Celtic last season, but has often flattered to deceive.

 

He is one of many players that Clement would surely countenance leaving if it freed up a player to come in, and if it does allow 26-year-old central midfielder Travis to come in that might be a decent trade in the Belgian’s eyes.

But it would appear to be a sudden development all round if the incoming deal is done when Travis was talking up his return to the Championship club as captan after loan on club media on 21 August.

Clement would surely love to get an experienced midfielder in before the window closes after seeing moves for Kenny McLean [Rangers Review, 1 July] and Joan Jordan [ABC, 29 July] prove impossible.