‘Stepped Up Their Interest’ – Portsmouth Push For Rangers Target | OneFootball

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Championship outfit Portsmouth ‘have stepped up their interest’ in Rangers target Aribim Pepple, according to journalist Darren Witcoop.

Rangers are continuing their rebuild under Derek McInnes and they have already signed Dan Neil, Ivor Pandur and Ross McCrorie from south of the border to boost their ranks.

The ex-Hearts boss is also reunited with his former disciple Lawrence Shankland at Ibrox and Rangers are looking to add more to back their new manager.

It has been suggested that they are closing in on securing a deal for Partizan Belgrade’s highly rated midfielder Vanja Dragojevic to strengthen their midfield.

The Ibrox outfit are in the market to sign another striker and once again their search has led them to the south of the border, as they are interested in signing Plymouth Argyle’s Pepple.

People had a brilliant last season with Plymouth in League One, where he netted 16 goals in 35 appearances for them and he is drawing interest from several clubs.

English Championship outfit Portsmouth emerged as suitors for the 23-year-old centre forward and are rivalling Rangers for his signature.

It has been claimed that John Mousinho’s side have now ‘stepped up their interest’ in Pepple as they want to beat off stiff competition to land him.

The Championship outfit are short of options in their forward department after Conor Chaplin’s departure following the expiry of his loan spell.

Now Pompey have ‘stepped up their interest; in bringing Pepple to Fratton Park.

Portsmouth will be looking to get ahead of the competition, which includes Rangers, and sell the project under John Mousinho to Pepple.

There is interest from a number of other sides in Pepple, but whether the Plymouth man has a preference is unclear.

All eyes will now be on Rangers to see if they up their interest in Pepple given Portsmouth are pressing the accelerator.

There has been interest in Rangers striker Youssef Chermiti and the Gers may soon find they need another attacker urgently.