Ex Wolves ace shares Rangers interest and conversation that paved path to this season's Champions League
Ligue 1 giants Lyon and West Ham also expressed an interest in the Club Brugge ace.
As Danny Rohl aims for Rangers’ first Europa League victory against Braga on Thursday night, a player from Rangers’ Champions League rivals has spoken out about his possible Ibrox move.
The Gers are yet to get off the mark in Europe in a competition they normally thrive in after being forced to settle for Europa League football in August. In one of the club’s worst ever European results, Russell Martin’s side were defeated 9-1 on aggregate by Club Brugge in a Champions League decider over two legs of utter domination from the Belgian giants.
As Brugge prepare to face Sporting Lisbon away on Wednesday night, one of their heroes against Rangers, ex Wolves winger Carlos Forbs has claimed that the Govan side were interested in him during the summer transfer window. As he eventually opted against a Glasgow move, the Portuguese winger has said that Brugge Sporting Director, Devy Rigaux was a big part of his decision.
Forbs pinpoints reason for Ibrox snub
Speaking to HBVL, Forbs said: “Along with six other teammates, I was no longer allowed in the dressing room. We were given a space about the size of this room here [points around]. After my second training session, I looked at my phone and saw that I had one missed call after another, from my agent and from Dévy Rigaux. That’s when I knew a club had been found. Rangers and Lyon also showed interest, but one conversation with Dévy and I was convinced.”
During his Wolves loan from Ajax last season, Forbs wasn’t able to register a goal or an assist in the Premier League, but hasn’t looked out of place in the Champions League in his breakout season for Brugge. So far, he’s featured 21 times both in Europe and domestically, scoring five goals and contributing five assists too.
West Ham United and Lyon also were both also interested in the highly-rated youngster, who came through the academy ranks at Manchester City as well as Sporting Lisbon, where he will make his Estadio Jose Alvavade return tonight.
The right choice?
With Club Brugge’s hammering over Rangers to reach the Champions League, it’s hard to argue with Forbs’ decision, who is now featuring regularly for Nicky Hayen’s side under lights on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. In their most recent outing, Forbs scored a brace against Barcelona in a chaotic 3-3 draw at the Jay Breydel Stadium.
His exploits for Brugge earned him his first ever International call-up for Portugal for their recent matches against Republic of Ireland and Armenia. After being an unused substitute in the 2-0 defeat to the Irish, Forbs came on for Bernardo Silva in their 9-1 hammering of Armenia, helping his team qualify for the World Cup in emphatic fashion.
Brugge currently sit 26th in the Champions League table, just a couple of points off qualification for the knockout stage. However with European minnows, Kairat Almaty still to play in the competition, Forbs and co will still fancy their chances of progessing.