According to The Bournemouth Echo, Glasgow Rangers are closing in on the signing of Nnamdi Ofoborh.
What’s the word?
The 21-year-old midfielder has been a bit-part player for Bournemouth this season, playing just five games across all competitions for the Cherries, but has shone on those rare appearances so far.
The Bournemouth Echo claims he has been locked in negotiations with Rangers over a pre-contract agreement ahead of a possible move to Ibrox in the summer.
And now, Bournemouth boss Jason Tindall has confirmed he is “close to agreeing things” with Rangers.
Steven Davis 2.0?
Rangers are pretty well-stocked in their midfield options following the capture of Bongani Zungu during the extended summer transfer window.
Zungu, though, has struggled to make a big impact, as he is yet to start in the Scottish Premiership so far. It might seem harsh but the Bafana-Bafana midfielder will need to do a lot more to firmly establish himself in Steven Gerrard’s plans.
Steven Davis and Ryan Jack have been Gerrard’s go-to options to complement Glen Kamara in his preferred three-man midfield. Whilst Davis has been in exceptional form so far this season, there are still question marks over Jack’s fitness after an injury-stricken campaign.
Suffice to say, Rangers need a quality midfielder to reduce the workload of the likes of Davis and Jack, and signing Ofoborh could be a wise investment for the future.
He may have only made three appearances in the Championship this season but Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is a big admirer of his talents after he made waves with his impressive performances for Wycombe Wanderers.
“Yo Nnamdi, what’s up man? It’s your boy PP,” he said following the Chairboys’ promotion to the Championship. “I heard about you, I just wanted to congratulate you on your promotion to the Championship. I heard about your long journey, in football and outside football. For sure, it’s not easy, it’s difficult what you did.”
“I just want to wish you the best – carry on, keep it up, keep doing what you’re doing man. I’m going to be looking after you, and looking at what you’re doing until you get to the Premier League. Keep it up my G, be together, peace man.”
Like Davis, Ofoborh is predominantly a right-footed player, and the comparisons don’t stop there, either. Last season, the Englishman, described as “reliable”, averaged 1.1 tackles per game, just shy of Davis’ 1.1 per 90 in the Premiership this season so far, via WhoScored.
Whilst he is still at the early stages of his career, his eye-catching performances for Gareth Ainsworth’s side suggest that he has the potential to play at a high level. Given his age, he may not be a regular starter for Rangers, but he’d add depth as a backup option in the midfield.
AND in other news, Glasgow Rangers dealt Wigan Athletic striker Kyle Joseph transfer blow…