Rangers Have Joined The Race For This Emerging French Defender: Why They Must Step Up The Chase

Rangers Have Joined The Race For This Emerging French Defender: Why They Must Step Up The Chase If a recent report from the French outlet Foot Mercato is believed to be true, Rangers have registered their interest in Sankhoun Diawara. But they are not alone in the race, with Swiss heavyweights FC Basel also making progress over a potential summer swoop for the FC Troyes centre-back. The 20-year-old France U-19 international progressed through FC Solitaires, Paris-Charenton and Troyes academy ranks before securing a key role with the latter’s reserves in 2024. Following a few sporadic appearances, he cemented a first-team status earlier this year and helped ESTAC clinch top-flight promotion as the Ligue 2 champions. With his contract at Stade de l’Aube set to expire next summer, Troyes would sanction an exit rather than lose him for nothing in a year. Diawara made 17 senior appearances last season across competitions [stats via Transfermarket ] and is expected to feature more frequently if the French side succeeds in tying him down to a new deal, fending off interest from all suitors. GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – AUGUST 19:John Souttar of Rangers looks dejected after the final whistle of the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round First Leg match between Rangers and Club Brugge at Ibrox Stadium on August 19, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) But the rumours must have unsettled the youngster, who could aim for the next career move away from his homeland. Rangers are showing sheer ambition in the transfer market to overcome the disappointments of the previous campaign, and Derek McInnes, the newly appointed Ibrox boss, has promised more signings over the next couple of months, having secured five key signings already in Lawrence Shankland, Ross McCrorie, Ben Godfrey, Ivor Pandur and Dan Neil. Why Rangers Are Undergoing A Defensive Overhaul Meanwhile, the Light Blues are focusing more on reconstructing the backline after parting ways with Nasser Djiga, Max Aarons, Jayden Meghoma and Derek Cornelius upon their respective season-long loans from Wolves, Bournemouth, Brentford and Marseille. A stellar debut campaign has made Emmanuel Fernandez a transfer target of several European heavyweights, and the Glasgow giants could lose their star defender if the talks intensify in the coming days. John Souttar has been highly inconsistent due to form and fitness woes. Also, James Tavernier’s departure has further unsettled the defensive third, with Dujon Sterling and Tuur Rommens being the only available senior fullbacks from last term. However, McCrorie and Godfrey would bolster the defence with their versatility and experience south of the border. Godfrey is expected to be deployed centrally alongside Fernandez and Souttar. But the club must bring a younger alternative who could flourish as the fourth choice, provided Fernandez and Souttar are retained beyond the ongoing window. Predominantly a centre-half, Diawara is also comfortable as a left-back, providing excellent balance, passing lanes, and structure to a team’s build-up play from the back. He has a very high ceiling, and a move to Rangers would help him fulfil his potential while challenging for silverware and appearing in Europe.