Better signing than Moore: Rangers considering move to land "dominant" star

Glasgow Rangers are putting plenty of work in behind the scenes to improve their playing squad before the summer transfer window slams shut at the start of September.

Kevin Thelwell, Russell Martin, and the 49ers are working hard to add more quality to the group, having already brought in the likes of Djeidi Gassama, Thelo Aasgaard, and Joe Rothwell, among others.

The Scottish Premiership giants are looking for more, though, particularly in the wide areas. Rangers are reportedly in talks to sign Go Ahead Eagles star Oliver Antman and Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.

They both play on the right wing and could arrive to compete with each other for a starting spot in Martin’s side in the 2025/26 campaign, whilst the Gers are also looking at an addition on the left flank.

Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge claims that Tottenham Hotspur winger Mikey Moore is closing in on a season-long loan move to Ibrox, after turning down offers from teams in the English Championship.

Why Mikey Moore is an exciting signing

The 17-year-old winger could be an exciting addition to the squad as he is a terrific young talent who could use this potential loan move as his platform to explode at first-team level.

Moore has already played 21 senior matches for Spurs, despite not turning 18 until next month, but he has yet to get the opportunity to start games on a regular basis.

The England U19 international did showcase his potential in the Europa League, though, with one goal and one assist in three starts for the club on their way to winning the competition.

As shown in the clips above, Moore is an electric left-sided attacker who is a joy to watch with his ability to weave in and out of defenders to carry the ball into dangerous areas.

His form for Tottenham and England at youth level also suggests that the potential is there for him to emerge as an incredibly productive forward, in terms of goals and assists.

As you can see in the table above, the teenage whiz could deliver goals and assists on a regular basis for Rangers if he can finally hit his stride at senior level, which is why he is such an exciting potential signing for the club.

However, the Scottish giants are also reportedly looking at another defender to come in and bolster their squad, and he could be an even better signing than Moore.

Rangers eyeing move for towering defender

According to journalist Mark Hendry, on his Substack page, Rangers are ‘considering’ a swoop to sign Volendam central defender Xavier Mbuyamba this summer.

The reporter claims that the Light Blues have been interested in the Dutchman throughout the summer transfer window, referencing back to Fabrizio Romano’s report on their interest earlier this year.

Hendry adds, though, that the 23-year-old centre-back is now ‘hoping’ for a move to Ibrox before the window slams shut, which should come as good news for the Gers, as this suggests that personal terms would not be an issue.

The journalist explains that Rangers may have to dip back into the market for another central defender because Robin Propper has returned to FC Twente and both Ben Davies and Clinton Nsiala appear to be heading towards the exit door.

If the Light Blues decide to go through with a swoop for Mbuyamba and add him to their squad in the coming weeks, the 6 foot 5 colossus could be an even better signing than Moore.

Why Mbuyamba would be a better signing than Moore

As aforementioned, Moore is certainly an exciting addition to the squad, if they can get that deal over the line, but that is because of his unknown potential.

The reality is that the teenage forward has scored one senior goal, and provided two assists, in his career so far, which means that Rangers cannot be certain that he will be an effective player for them on a regular basis.

Moore is also set to join on a straight loan that does not include an option to make the deal permanent. The Light Blues have seen the likes of Malik Tillman, Abdallah Sima, and Vaclav Cerny impress on loan before leaving because the Gers are unable to sign them permanently, which is what could happen with the Spurs youngster.

Mbuyamba, however, would come in on a permanent deal and be part of the long-term strategy at Ibrox, which means that he could provide value over the course of a number of years, whilst also having the potential to make the club a profit in the future, which will not be the case with Moore.

The 23-year-old Dutchman’s form for Volendam in his last two full seasons, excluding the 2023/24 season when he missed 26 matches due to heart problems, suggests that he can also make an instant impact on the pitch.

As you can see in the table above, Mbuyamba provided a huge threat from set-pieces in both of those campaigns, whilst also dominating opposition attackers in physical duels, whilst no Rangers centre-back managed more than two league goals last season.

Volendam also clearly missed his defensive presence at the back in the 2023/24 campaign, when he missed the majority of his with heart issues, because they were relegated from the Eredivisie that year.

Mbuyamba, who talent scout Jacek Kulig once dubbed “complete” and “dominant”, then returned to help them win the second division last season, playing a pivotal role with his goals, tackles, interceptions, and clearances.

This further illustrates why he would be an even better signing for Rangers than Moore, because the Dutch titan has already proven himself at senior level in the Netherlands and could hit the ground running at Ibrox.

Related

He’d be amazing with Antman: Rangers in talks to sign “devastating” £10m ace

Rangers are reportedly in talks to sign a star who would be amazing with Oliver Antman.

Mbuyamba seems more likely, given his greater exposure to first-team football and success on the pitch, to make an instant impact at Rangers than Moore, whilst also providing the club with more value in the long run as a permanent signing rather than a straight loan.