If the reports from Serbia (as cited by The Daily Record) are believed to be true, Rangers are keeping close tabs on Ebenezer Annan ahead of a potential summer transfer. The Scottish heavyweights have extensively scouted the Red Star Belgrade left fullback over the past few months and inquired about his valuation.
The 22-year-old Ghana international joined the youth ranks of Bologna during his teenage days. He was also handed his senior debut in August 2021 following an impressive run with the reserves. However, the youngster only featured twice for the Serie A side before being loaned out to the then third-tier outfit Imolese for gametime.
Although he frequently featured for Imolese, the Greyhounds loaned him out for a second successive season, this time at Novi Pazar in Serbia. The Serbian SuperLiga side triggered the option-to-buy clause last summer for €350k, only to sell Annan to league giants Red Star Belgrade for €550k a day later. The Red-Whites sent him on loan to OFK Beograd two weeks later, but brought the Ghanaian back in January to hand him a regular role, thanks to a blistering spell with the Romantics.
Rangers have been disappointing in the domestic competitions but are going strong in Europe, having progressed to the Europa League quarter-finals. They also defeated Old Firm rivals Celtic both home and away; however, the dismal run of results under former boss Philippe Clement had already derailed their campaign. Injuries did not help the Belgian either, but the majority of his summer recruits have made an impact in their respective roles.
Why Rangers Should Tie Him Down In Summer
The scouts were spot on to snap up Jefte from Fluminense for a minuscule £0.68m. The little-known left-back has cemented a starting status with 44 appearances across competitions. Ridvan Yilmaz has been the understudy to the Brazilian, and Clement, as well as the interim boss Barry Ferguson, deployed the Turkish fullback from the right to deal with fitness woes and accomplish formation tweaks.
Jefte was linked with a shock transfer to Stamford Bridge amid interest from Chelsea back in the winter window. The Gers might find it difficult to keep hold of services, and therefore, identified Annan as a potential replacement. He has scored once and laid on two more in 9 appearances for Red Star Belgrade, and his flair from the left would offer a different dimension with more aggressiveness compared to Jefte’s balanced approach.
Yilmaz has been linked to a return to Turkey in almost every window, and the egress of either of the current options would pave the way for the Black Stars’ rising sensation. It remains to be seen now whether Rangers step up the chase and secure his services in the coming days.
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