Rangers named as favourites to sign Arjen Robben-like forward who once cost £8.5m

It’s fair to say Rabbi Matondo could not have done any more to earn himself a key place in Philippe Clement’s Rangers plans.

Ever since those rumours emerged suggesting that the £2.5 million man could be on his way out of Ibrox, Matondo has played like a man possessed.

Sparkling against St Johnstone in the Scottish League Cup and then devastating during Saturday’s 6-0 pummelling of Ross County.

There have always been question marks over Matondo’s ruthlessness in the final third but, breaking into the penalty area and finishing twice from close range, the Welsh winger certainly staked his claim to become Rangers’ Abdallah Sima replacement for 2024/25.

Clement admitted after that Staggies slapping that he is keen to see Matondo stay in Glasgow, with Blackburn Rovers boss John Eustace confirming his interest in both the former Man City starlet and the exiled Todd Cantwell.

But Clement also stopped short of confirming whether Matondo was 100 per cent certain to stay put.

“I hope that he continues what he’s been doing now,” Clement told Sky Sports. “I think he’s going to stay yeah. Otherwise, somebody needs to come with enough money.

“You never know in the last week (of the window). But my idea is that he will be here this season.”

Rangers eye Josip Brekalo amid Rabbi Matondo uncertainty

Rangers’ alleged interest in a host of left wingers suggests that all the options remain on the table, as things stand. The Premiership runners-up are keen on the £2 million-rated Norwich City youngster Abu Kamara, per Football Scotland.

Tiago Gouveia of Benfica has been linked too.

And then there is Josip Brekalo, the Fiorentina benchwarmer who saw a potential move to Rangers before Friday’s 11pm deadline talked up by the Italian press this week.

Tuttomercatoweb report that Brekalo is not part of Raffaelle Palladino’s plans at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. He was left on the bench during both of La Viola’s opening Serie A fixtures.