Rangers Target Defensive Reinforcement
Rangers have emerged as a contender for the signature of Troyes defender Sankhoun Diawara, as manager Derek McInnes continues his summer overhaul of the Ibrox squad. According to reports from Foot Mercato on July 2, 2026, the Scottish side is closely monitoring the 20-year-old centre-back, though they face stiff competition from Swiss side FC Basel.
Diawara, a France U19 international, enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season, making 14 appearances in Ligue 2 as Troyes secured promotion. Standing 1.88m tall, the left-footed defender is viewed as a significant prospect. However, with only 12 months remaining on his contract, he is reportedly unwilling to sign an extension, prompting his current club to consider a sale.
Competitive Transfer Market
While Rangers are keen to bolster their defensive options, reports indicate that FC Basel has made the defender a primary target and is currently leading the race for his services. For McInnes, adding a left-sided centre-back remains a priority, especially with the expected departure of Clinton Nsiala and the previous loan exits of Derek Cornelius and Nasser Djiga.
McInnes, who has already secured the signings of Ross McCrorie, Ben Godfrey, Ivor Pandur, and Dan Neil, acknowledged that the transfer market for top-tier talent is rarely straightforward. “People think it is easy to get signings done but normally when good players are involved, more than one team is involved too,” the manager stated via official club channels.
Should a move materialize, Diawara would likely compete for a rotation spot alongside established options such as Ben Godfrey and Manny Fernandez. As the summer window progresses, the club’s recruitment team continues to balance immediate squad needs with long-term potential.