Fluminense winger Jhon Arias needs to avoid a potential move to Rangers as Philippe Clement’s side are not on ‘the European map’.
That’s according to journalist Carlos Antonio Velez, who believes the player should be looking for more attractive proposals than moving to Ibrox.
Rangers were linked with a move for the 26-year-old Colombian this week, with it claimed they were already negotiating a deal to make him a part of Clement’s squad for next season.
The Rangers boss is overseeing something of an overhaul at Ibrox this summer, with several players in the current squad all set to leave on free transfers and needing to be replaced.
Arias could be one of several new players to arrive at Rangers if he was signed, although it remains to be seen if any deal for the winger is actually in the pipeline.
A move from Brazil, where he currently plays for Fluminense, to Scotland would certainly be an eyebrow raising one, especially for a player who has so far played in Mexico, Colombia and Brazil in his career to date.
Velez is unimpressed at the idea for another reason, though, laying into Rangers and seemingly thinking they’re not good enough.
“Isn’t there something better for such a promising, capable and influential player? Scotland DOES NOT EXIST on the European map of high competition. I hope it’s smoke!” he wrote on X in response to the transfer rumour.
Now, we would be at pains to point out to Velez that Rangers have a rich history in European football and given Arias’ career to date, a move to Ibrox could actually be a step up for him.
Maybe it is surprising Rangers are being linked at all and he might actually be wise to jump at the chance to move to Ibrox.
Like him, though, we suspect this may be an agent at work and the smoke he’s referring to is more real than an actual move.