Rangers transfer news as Tiago Gouveia 'talks' held while Brekalo question asked in left winger hunt

Rangers have reportedly held talks over a move for Benfica’s £7million-rated Tiago Gouveia as they step up their chase to land a left winger.

The Lisbon giants are said to be willing to listen to offers for the 23-year-old who featured in both legs off the bench for the Portuguese side when they defeated Philippe Clement’s men over two legs in the Europa League last 16 last season.

A report in the Portuguese media say Rangers are one of three clubs to have spoken with Benfica chiefs over the prospect of taking Gouveia with Villarreal and Anderlecht the other two. Gouveia came through the ranks at Estadio da Luz and had a loan spell at Estoril two seasons ago. He is also a Portugal Under-21 international. Gouveia can play on either flank but his preference is on the left which is Clement’s priority having signed Vaclav Cerny on loan from Wolfsburg who is stronger on the right.

And the link with Gouveia comes at a time when Rangers have also been credited with another left winger – Fiorentina’s Josip Brekalo. This is amid the news Leeds United are reportedly set to move for Rabbi Matondo after missing out on Norwich City’s Jonathan Rowe, who is on the verge of joining Marseille.

Brekalo returned from a six-month loan at Hadjuk Split earlier this summer but has not managed to earn a second chance at the Florence club under new boss Raffaele Palladino – with reports in Italy suggesting that last season's Europa Conference League finalists are looking to offload a host of fringe players before the end of the month.

Empoli and Venezia have both been touted with a deal for the wide man in recent days - with Fiorentina said to be locked in discussions with both clubs over a loan deal with an option to buy the 26-year-old.

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