Rangers slap megabucks price tag as interest builds in star man
Rangers are bracing themselves for summer interest in key defender Emmanuel Fernandez, but it will require a record-breaking fee to prize him away from Ibrox, according to reports.
The Nigerian international has been one of Rangers’ standout performers this season following his £2.5million arrival from Peterborough United in the summer. After a slow start under former head coach Russell Martin, the 24-year-old has become one of the first names on Danny Rohl’s team sheet upon his arrival in October.
Linked to both Bayern Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund in January, it is claimed that several clubs across Europe are keeping tabs on Fernandez ahead of the summer transfer window, while English Premier League title favourites Arsenal are also considering a summer move alongside Everton, Chelsea, and West Ham United.
In response to the growing interest in his services, the Glasgow giants have slapped a £35million price tag on Fernandez according to the Peterborough Evening Telegraph, which would smash Rangers’ previous record sale of £20million that was received when Calvin Bassey joined to Ajax in the summer of 2022.
Fernandez’s previous club, Peterborough, included a significant sell-on fee when they allowed him to leave London Road last summer, with chairman Darragh MacAnthony telling Sky Sports in January. “The world is now data driven – if you looked at data, that guy is under 24 as a centre-half, and he stood out to every club in the world.
“I knew that if he went to Scotland, he would score loads of goals because he’s a danger from a set-piece, and if someone got a trick out of him, or a tune out of him properly with the talent he’s got, then he would go [further] again. I’m very pleased to say we got a nice sell on [fee] for him and we’ll make millions more [if he is sold]. I think he will go on again. We picked up him for £5k from the middle of nowhere.”
Meanwhile, reports have credited Rangers with an interest in Northern Ireland international goalkeeper Pierce Charles. According to reports, head coach Rohl is keen on reuniting with a player he managed during his 18-month stint as Sheffield Wednesday boss, with his former club’s confirmed relegation to the English third tier making player sales inevitable at Hillsborough.
Capped 10 times by his national team, the 20-year-old stopper is said to be targeted as a potential replacement for back-up goalkeeper Liam Kelly, who is out of contract at Ibrox in the summer.
