Gers on £9m midfield mission
Exclusive by Darrell King
RANGERS today accelerated plans to rebuild their midfield with moves for three players who will cost around £9million.
Portsmouth's Pedro Mendes completed a £3m switch after undergoing a successful medical, and he is in line to make his debut against Hearts at Ibrox tomorrow.
SportTimes can also reveal that American rising star Maurice Edu will arrive from Toronto FC in a deal worth around £2.5m - subject to a work permit being granted.
The powerful 22-year-old anchorman, capped six times by the USA and just back from the Olympics in Beijing, is on stand-by to jet to Glasgow as soon as formalities are completed.
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Rangers have also tabled a £4m bid for Palermo midfielder Mark Bresciano and if that move for the Aussie doesn't come off, then a renewed effort will be made to sign Steven Davis from Fulham.
Insiders at Ibrox confirmed today that boss Walter Smith wants THREE new players for the midfield ranks before the transfer deadline at the end of the month, on top of Valencia kid Aaron Niguez who signed last night on a two-year loan deal.
On Mendes, Smith said: "He is a really good all-round midfield player and will help us a lot.
"He's very good technically and can get a goal or two as well."
The move for Edu has been on-going for some time. Smith has been tracking the player for months and has spoken to various US contacts, including Toronto boss Maurice Johnston.
Edu is recognised as one of the best young players to emerge in the States and has already attracted Premiership interest for his performance at international level, and he was voted MLS newcomer of the year in 2007.
As Rangers attempt to keep several options open, there has been further dialogue with Fulham over Davis. And sources say they are confident either Bresciano or Davis will come on board.
Rangers also say they backed away from the Glenn Loovens deal after it became clear the player wanted to play Champions League football at Celtic.
A £2.5m fee for a player in the final year of his contract was something Rangers would not match, but a centre-half will still be pursued.
Meanwhile, Rangers host Hearts tomorrow, and assistant boss Ally McCoist said: "It will be a tough game because you don't always know what you are going to get with Hearts."
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