“Rangers’ SHOCKING Move: After Coady, Talks IGNITE for a WORLD-CLASS CB Who DWARFS Propper – You Won’t Believe Who!”
Just 40 days have passed since Rangers last took to the pitch, drawing 2-2 on the final day of the Scottish Premiership season.
However, the countdown to their return is already underway, with preparations intensifying under the stewardship of new manager Russell Martin.
Rangers are scheduled to kick off their pre-season campaign in just over a week.
Competitive football will return to Ibrox in less than a month when the Light Blues enter the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.
With the games coming thick and fast from late July into August, Martin’s managerial debut in the Premiership will come away at Motherwell on Saturday, August 2.
Given this packed schedule and the high stakes involved, the urgency to reinforce the squad—particularly the defence—is becoming increasingly clear.
Martin knows time is short, and a series of additions will be vital if the club is to make a strong start both domestically and in Europe.
Defensive reinforcements appear to be high on Martin’s agenda. Max Aarons has already arrived on loan, and talks are said to be ongoing with experienced defender Conor Coady.
Liverpool’s young left-back Owen Beck is also reportedly being considered.
Now, attention has turned to Peterborough United centre-back Emmanuel Fernandez, with fresh reports from Football Insider suggesting that Rangers have opened negotiations with the League One club.
Fernandez is currently valued at around £300,000, according to Transfermarkt. It’s believed Russell Martin has already approved the move, indicating his faith in the player’s potential.
Norwich City almost secured the defender’s services back in January, but the deal collapsed on deadline day.
According to journalist Samuel Seaman, Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony believed the Canaries would return with another offer this summer.
MacAnthony has spoken highly of Fernandez, describing him as someone with all the attributes to have a successful career: dominant in the air and comfortable with the ball at his feet. But rather than moving to Norfolk, the 23-year-old may now be headed north of the border to Glasgow.
Meanwhile, Rangers are preparing to offload Dutch defender Robin Pröpper. As reported by The Herald’s Mark Walker, FC Twente boss Joseph Oosting has discussed a potential return to the Netherlands with the player, and a £1.5 million deal has been agreed.
Pröpper’s exit is unlikely to cause much uproar among the Ibrox faithful. His debut season failed to inspire, with Ewan Paton of The Rangers Review suggesting that the pace and physicality of Scottish football were simply too much for him.
In contrast, Fernandez could prove to be a significant upgrade. While he played in England’s League One last season, the difference in competition level may not be as large as it seems.
According to Global Football Rankings, League One is currently ranked just ten spots below the Scottish Premiership—53rd versus 43rd.
Statistically, Fernandez impresses. He leads in most key defensive metrics, particularly in aerial duels, where he boasts a remarkable 77% win rate across all competitions.
Standing at 6 feet 4 inches (194 cm), he brings a commanding physical presence—something Rangers arguably lacked last season.
Peterborough’s chairman labelled him a “colossus” and the club’s best defender in 2023/24.
Described as a “gentle giant” off the pitch and aggressive on it, Fernandez could be exactly the kind of player needed to fortify Rangers’ back line.
With the new season looming, securing his signature could prove a wise and timely move.
