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EXCLUSIVE; Worth more than Rafael Fernandes”- Rangers have struck gold on “thunderous” star who is worth more Fernandes
Glasgow Rangers’ transfer window hasn’t been as fruitful as many anticipated. After a rough start to the season, with several players failing to perform, it became clear that Philippe Clement needed to offload some underperformers and bring in fresh talent.
New CEO Patrick Stewart offered some reassurance earlier this month, stating: “We’re all working to back the club, it’s not the club backing the manager, it’s really everyone backing the club to make sure we’re signing players for the club or for the long-term benefit of the club.”
Despite these encouraging words, Rangers have only made one signing so far: Rafael Fernandes, who joined on a six-month loan deal from Lille with an option to buy.
With the team facing a defensive injury crisis, bringing in another centre-back was a sensible move. If Fernandes impresses, Clement will have the option to make the deal permanent; otherwise, the 22-year-old will return to Lille. So, who is Rafael Fernandes, and what can he offer Rangers for the remainder of the season?
Why Rangers Signed Rafael Fernandes
A key goal for Clement as manager has been to strengthen the club’s position in the transfer market. While occasional signings of experienced players will likely continue, his focus seems to be on bringing in young talent with great potential.
Players like Hamza Igamane, Connor Barron, Jefte, and Clinton Nsiala fit this model and have stood out at times with their performances.
Fernandes, at just 22, certainly has a promising future. The Portuguese defender came through the Sporting CP academy before moving to Arouca in 2022 for more development. After impressing in 17 appearances, he secured a move to Lille last year, but he hasn’t yet featured for the Ligue 1 side, with players like Lenny Yoro ahead of him in the pecking order.
During his 11 top-flight appearances for Arouca, Fernandes demonstrated solid skills, completing 90% of his passes, averaging 1.1 tackles per game, and losing possession just four times per match. He also won 66% of his duels and recovered 2.6 balls per game, showcasing his defensive ability.
Kai Watson, founder of the Rangers Journal, praised Fernandes before his move to Ibrox, highlighting his ball control, passing range, pace, and strength—qualities that make him the ideal type of centre-back for Rangers.
It will be fascinating to see how Fernandes develops at Ibrox. If he performs well, there’s a real possibility that Clement could opt to make his move permanent.
Rafael Fernandes’ Market Value
As Fernandes hasn’t played for Lille’s first team, his current market value is estimated at €1m (£850k), according to Transfermarkt. If he shows his worth at Rangers, Lille may be willing to part with him for a profit.
Rangers also have another promising young player in Jefte, who has seen his market value rise since joining the club last summer.
Jefte’s Rangers Impact
With Borna Barisic’s departure last summer, Rangers needed to find a new left-back. Ridvan Yilmaz was expected to take the role, but additional cover was necessary. Clement acted quickly, bringing in Jefte in June to give him time to settle in.
Before Jefte’s move, Watson praised the Brazilian for his attacking intent, dribbling skills, and powerful shot. While Jefte hasn’t scored yet, he’s shown promising signs, especially going forward, creating two big chances and averaging one key pass and 1.2 successful dribbles per game in the Premiership.
Defensively, he still has room for improvement, with an average of 14.6 possessions lost per game and 1.1 fouls committed. However, as he gains more experience, these stats should improve. Rangers could potentially make a significant profit if Jefte continues to improve, especially if interest from other clubs grows.
Jefte’s Market Value at Rangers
Jefte’s current market value is €2.5m (£2.1m), up by over £1m since he joined Rangers. His rising value is a positive sign that he is on the right track and will only become more valuable as he gains experience and plays more regularly.
Though Jefte is currently valued higher than Fernandes, the Portuguese centre-back will be motivated to establish himself at the club, knowing that a strong performance could significantly increase his market value in the coming months.
Rangers have already seen a significant boost in Jefte’s value due to his performances, and they’ll be hoping that Fernandes follows a similar trajectory over the next 6-12 months.
