Defender tipped to replace Rangers’ Filip Helander set for Euro move

Reported Rangers target Joseph Okumu was reportedly being lined up in case Premier League clubs pounced for Filip Helander – but the big Kenyan could be on the move before Big Fil.

Reports in Rangers defender Helander’s home country of Sweden had previously claimed that the big centre-back was a target for Aston Villa and Leicester City [Sportbladet].

Rangers defender Filip Helander has impressed in his two seasons in Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Other reports have claimed that Rangers are looking for around £6m for the player [Football Insider].

Given the fact the Swedish international – who is at Euro 2020 with his country – has never lost a Scottish Premiership match in two seasons, that should come as no surprise.

The towering 6ft4 Okumu, who at 23 is five years Helander’s junior, was supposedly being lined up as a replacement.

Current side Elfsborg certainly think very highly of the defender, with the club’s sporting director claiming Okumu was “the best centre-back” ever to play in the Allsvenskan.

That would make him even better than Helander, who came through the ranks at Malmo.

But before anyone has launched a bid for Helander this summer Okumu is reportedly a transfer target of Belgian outfit KAA Gent.

“He is in Ghent for formal talks with the club,” a source told Goal.com.

“Negotiations have been ongoing and if everything is agreed on, he will become Gent’s new player soon.”

Joseph Okumu appears set for a move to KAA Gent. (Photo by David Lidstrom/Getty Images)

Given Old Firm rivals Celtic were also linked, if Rangers haven’t moved due to the situation surrounding Helander, it’s probably a good thing they haven’t either.

Meanwhile, another player extensively linked to Ibrox remains without a club after being released from his previous club at the end of the season.