Rangers chase Leicester winger Mavididi to sharpen the flanks

Rangers, rebuilding under manager Derek McInnes, have already secured six new players – striker Lawrence Shankland, defender Dan Neil and midfielder Cammy Devlin on Bosman deals, defender Ben Godfrey on loan from Atalanta and Ross McCrorie for a modest £900,000 that could rise to £2 million – and now turn their attention to strengthening the attacking third. The club says the next priority must be the attacking third to lift last season’s mediocrity on the flanks. According to journalist Mark Hendry, Rangers are keeping close tabs on Leicester City’s wide‑attacking ace Stephy Mavididi and are prepared to spend around £7 million to secure his services. The 28‑year‑old former England youth international progressed through Southend United and Arsenal’s academy before Arsenal loaned him to Charlton Athletic and Preston North End in the lower divisions. Juventus signed him for €1.5 million in August 2018 for their reserves and later arranged a temporary switch to Ligue 1 side Dijon for senior minutes.

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His impressive spell in France earned a €6.3 million move to fellow top‑flight side Montpellier. Leicester paid €7.5 million three years later, where Mavididi netted 12 league goals and helped the Foxes return to the Premier League before back‑to‑back relegations made his League One future unlikely. Rangers’ ability to meet Leicester’s demands may be linked to the Foxes’ interest in John Souttar, a potential swap that could streamline the deal. Mavididi prefers to operate from the left as an inverted winger but can also play as a ‘False 9’ or second striker; his explosive pace, 1v1 dribbling and ability to stretch defences would be a much‑needed addition, provided the gaffer deploys him wide. While occasional inconsistency in final‑third decision‑making remains a concern, he is arguably an upgrade over Nedim Bajrami, Danilo, Oliver Antman and Andreas Skov Olsen for Rangers’ left side. End