Five facts on reported Rangers target Leonel Di Placido

Add as preferred source on Google

Rangers are reportedly interested in signing Lanus defender Leonel Di Placido as a cut-price replacement for captain James Tavernier, who continues to be linked with Crystal Palace.

TalkSPORT claim that Rangers are rivalling French side Amiens and Spanish duo Leganes and Espanyol for the signature of 25-year-old Di Placido. Here are five facts about the right-back:

1. Versatility

Di Placido is not only able to play on the right side of defence, which is where he has most regularly featured for top-tier Argentine side Lanus. He can also play more advanced, as a right-winger or on the right of a front three.

2. Argentina call-up

The star’s form last season was so impressive that Argentine manager Lionel Scaloni called him up to the Argentina squad. Di Placido remained an unused substitute in friendlies against Guatemala and Colombia.

3. Explosive speed

Rangers do not boast enormous pace on either side of the defence, though full-backs with speed are becoming a big part of the modern game. Di Placido boasts huge pace, allowing him to leave defenders for dead or recover quickly.

4. Still relatively new

Di Placido has only clocked up 133 senior outings for Lanus, All Boys and a loan spell at Tucuman. At 25 years, it means that he may lack experience – especially outside of Argentina – but also that he is still fresh.

5. Bargain

He has entered the final 12 months of his contract at Lanus and that has made his available on the cheap. According to TalkSPORT’s report, he is available for just £1million.