After finishing his season on a high, Colombian striker Mateo Cassierra has been quoted regarding a possible move to Rangers.
In the last game of the Russian Premier Liga campaign, Sochi defeated Dinamo Moscow 1-5, with the emphatic away win confirming their second place finish – ahead of their opponents. Usually that would herald a Champions League push, but the invasion of Ukraine and sanctions on Russian clubs by UEFA means that only domestic isolation is in store.
Cassierra recorded a hat-trick in the game, sending his total tally for the season to 14 – a very decent return in a competitive league.
The former Ajax and Belenenses striker has said of his next step:
“I hope within the next week or so, my future will be confirmed and I will sign for a club who are good for me. My priority is to stay in Europe because I have been here for five years now.”
“The manager of Rangers knows me because when I was at Ajax, he was the manager of Feyenoord. So there are options for me that need to be evaluated.”
Earlier this week, Vital Rangers brought you the exclusive on the fee desired by Sochi to secure the services of the striker:
“It is most likely that Mateo Cassierra will leave the club and the price will be €10 million (approximately £8.5mil GBP).”
Reality
Russian clubs will want bidding wars for their players but that isn’t likely.
Many foreign players are set to leave, UEFA sanctions have already been imposed on clubs preventing them from playing in continental compititons, with possible further transfer rulings to follow.
Buying clubs face a wait for clarity so Rangers or other suitors won’t be rushing to pay top dollar in the Cassierra situation.