Rangers make 'prolific goalscorer' set to face Celtic in Europe next month a transfer target as firepower eyed
European club have ‘no intention’ of letting striker go on the cheap
Rangers have reportedly shown transfer interest in ‘prolific goalscorer’ Lenny Joseph of Ferencvaros - who are set to face Celtic next month in the league phase of the Europa League.
The 25-year old striker - who featured against Scotland in the World Cup with his native Haiti - has spent the past 18 months with the Hungarian giants. He bagged 16 goals last season under ex boss and former Celt Robbie Keane and has picked up from where he left off in the current NB 1 campaign, scoring four goals in nine appearances.
Ferencvaros were denied their ninth league title in a row last season as they were pipped by surprise package FC Gyor. In turn, the Budapest side have had to settle for Europa League football, where they will face Celtic at Parkhead on September 17. They also faced Glasgow opposition in last season’s league phase when they defeated Rangers 2-1 at home in a match where Joseph was deployed from the bench.
Rangers interested in ‘prolific goalscorer’
According to French media outlet Foot Mercato: “After a stellar season with Ferencvaros last year (16 goals, 10 assists), Lenny Joseph is attracting interest. According to our sources, Rangers are keen on the 25-year-old striker, who is under contract until 2028. The Hungarian club has no intention of letting their prolific goalscorer go cheaply and is expecting at least €6 million (£5.1m) to release him. Other clubs are also keeping a close eye on the situation.”
The Paris-born striker made his name in France before leaving for Hungary, with spells at lower league sides Le Puy, Boulogne, before earning top flight football at Metz. He then spent two years at Ligue 2 side Grenoble before being snapped up by Ferencvaros. He’s accrued five caps for Haiti including all three of their World Cup group games. His only goal for his country came in a pre-tournament friendly against New Zealand.
Joseph set for Celtic meeting in Europa League
Should Joseph stay at the Ferencvaros Stadion, he’ll face Celtic next season in the Europa League, along with Italian giants AC Milan and Juventus who the Hungarian side drew. A move to Rangers would mean no European football for the striker as they failed to qualify for the Conference League last week in their penalty shootout defeat to Czech side Jablonec.
Celtic also didn’t cover themselves in glory on the European front as they blew a four-goal aggregate lead to Austrian outfit LASK Linz in their Champions League qualifier. As the Hoops also settle for Europa League football, as well as Ferencvaros, they’ll face Celta Vigo, Besiktas, Marseille, Benfica, Torreense, Omonia Nicosia and Union Saint Gilloise over the next five months.
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