Real Betis defender Nobel Mendy now set to join Rangers | OneFootball

Real Betis defender Nobel Mendy is set to join Rangers at Ibrox having come very close to moving to PSV Eindhoven, according to French outlet L’Equipe.

Rangers manager Russell Martin wants to bolster his options at the back following an underwhelming start to the 2025-26 Premiership campaign, and the 6ft 2in Senegalese fits the bill.

Mendy has agreed personal terms with the Light Blues and will join them in a four-year deal worth €3 million, with a 20 per cent sell-on clause inserted.

However, the 20-year-old was close to joining the Eredivisie club back in May after agreeing a five-year contract.

An administrative problem saw the move fall through after negotiations dragged on for weeks, and it has worked in favour of Rangers.

PSV have since moved on, going ahead to recruit defensive duo Kiliann Sildillia and Yarek Gasiorowski.

It has given the Gers a clear chance to land him, but they could face another hurdle as Mendy has also agreed personal terms with Rayo Vallecano and has yet to put pen to paper with Rangers despite the verbal agreement.

Securing a place in the league phase of the Champions League could boost the chances of Rangers in his pursuit, with the Light Blues now in the play-offs.

Belgian club Club Brugge stand in their way as Martin looks to get his side playing alongside the biggest teams on the planet in the elite European competition this term, and he will be desperate to ensure they progress at their expense.

They could do with Mendy for both legs and it will intriguing to see if a deal will finally go ahead.

Rangers have drawn their opening two games of the league campaign, playing 1-1 against Motherwell and Dundee.

They also lost 2-1 to Viktoria Plzen last night in the second-leg of the Champions League third qualifying round.

A 3-0 win in the first-leg ensured they progressed to the play-offs and Martin has seen the huge job he has on his hands as he looks to turn the Bears into winners again.