Thomas Galdames is one of a number of Latin American footballers linked to Rangers this summer.
The club have already moved to sign Brazilian left-back Jefte, whilst the extension of a deal for Colombian winger Oscar Cortes has been met with positivity.
It’s a region renowned for top talent and left-sided Chilean defender Thomas Galdames presented an interesting option for Rangers fans.
Rangers were initially said to be battling teams from Belgium for the signature of Galdames before the 25-year-old defender headed to the Copa America.
But after the competition was concluded this weekend, Galdames appears to have now decided his future with the player finally set to leave Godoy Cruz in Argentina.
Galdames agrees three-year deal
Rangers fans who’ve been following the Thomas Galdames story would’ve noted the more concrete interest in Belgium last week.
Reports had claimed Royal Antwerp were leading the chase for Galdames in Europe whilst Rangers’ interest was said to have cooled.
But it won’t be Belgium where Thomas Galdames is heading after all this summer, with a move to Russia now reportedly all but official, at least at the time of writing.
According to Chilean publication En Cancha, Galdames has agreed a three-year deal with Russian Premier League side PFC Krylia Sovetov Samara.
The defender will be the second Chilean to play with the club after fellow ex-Union Española star Eduardo Lobos, the goalkeeper turning out for the side between 2005 and 2010.
It will also be the defender’s first foray into European football, although Russian sides continue to be exiled from UEFA competition.
Rangers on defender transfer hunt?
Should the deal be completed as expected, it will mark the end of yet another Rangers pursuit.
The links to Thomas Galdames first appeared when Rangers lost out on Panamanian centre-back Jose Cordoba.
Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen moved quickly to sign Clinton Nsiala from AC Milan but the French defender is not expected to be a first-team starter.
It’s left some fans scratching their heads a little with regards the situation as Jose Cordoba – who was given the Ibrox treatment at the end of last season – would’ve been signed as a key first-team player.
It has plenty believing that Rangers are still on the hunt for a left-sided defender and another one bites the dust in seemingly Russia-bound Thomas Galdames.
Philippe Clement has been talking about Rangers’ transfer business and has suggested continental competition has slowed the expected incomings and outgoings down to a crawl.
