Rangers target Xavier Mbuyamba and Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk
(Credit: Imago)
Aheed Abrar
Wed 16 July 2025 11:10, UK
Rangers could potentially get the next Virgil van Dijk in Volendam defender Xavier Mbuyamba this transfer window.
The Gers have bolstered their backline with the likes of Emmanuel Fernandez and Nasser Djiga, but they aren’t done yet.
Leicester City centre-back Conor Coady is pushing for a move to the Light Blues in the coming days, and it remains to be seen how the saga unfolds.
Mbuyamba is also on the radar at Ibrox, with the Eredivisie outfit looking to get around £500,000 for him from interested parties.
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk
Rangers target Mbuyamba has been compared to Liverpool captain Van Dijk. (Credit: Imago)
Volendam and Rangers not in contact for Mbuyamba transfer
Volendam and the Gers aren’t in contact regarding a potential deal for Mbuyamba, Keith Jackson says.
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The Daily Record journalist revealed that his sources in the Netherlands have stated that no club-to-club discussions have taken place for the 23-year-old’s signing at Ibrox.
Jackson believes the Light Blues may be monitoring the “young Van Dijk”, but he isn’t aware of talks over a potential deal for the youth Dutch centre-back.
Appearances Goals Assists Minutes played
36 5 1 3217
Mbuyamba’s record at Volendam last season.
Speaking on Hotline Live (16 July), the journalist said: “Lots of comparisons between him, and I don’t think it’s a helpful comparison: the young Van Dijk.
“He’s available for about £500,000. So it wouldn’t be fortunes. Are Rangers interested? I don’t know. What I can confirm is that my sources in Holland are telling me this evening is that there has been no contact between the clubs.
“So is he someone Rangers are monitoring closely? Very possibly. Have they made a move, have they opened discussions trying to get a deal done? Not as far as I’m aware.”
Mbuyamba transfer needed at Ibrox after John Souttar exit
John Souttar is attracting interest from Trabzonspor, with the Super Lig club making a bid for the Scotland international.
The former Hearts defender’s current contract at the Gers expires in 2026, presenting the club with a significant decision regarding his future.
It wouldn’t be sensible to let the 28-year-old run down his deal at the Glaswegian outfit and leave as a free agent at the end of next season.
Rangers should look to cash in on Souttar if he doesn’t sign a new contract, and bring Mbuyamba in to reinforce their backline.
With the potential arrivals of Coady and the Volendam defender, the Scotsman would arguably be surplus to requirements at Ibrox.
Russell Martin can possibly form a solid centre-back pairing between the Leicester star and Djiga, with the other defenders playing a backup role.
Only time will tell how the situation will unfold in G51 before the end of August.
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