Rangers are interested in signing Lassana Coulibaly permanently at the end of the season, according to Steven Gerrard.
The Ibrox manager claimed “we like the player” and the chances of a deal depend upon a price tag “that could be prohibitive” as well as his salary demands and the interest of other clubs.
Coulibaly joined Rangers on a season-long loan from French club Angiers last summer and has had a drop in form following a strong start at Ibrox.
Gerrard said to the Scottish Sun: “We still rate Lassana. But competition for midfield places is intense. There’s certainly a place and a part for Lassana to play between now and the end of the season. But there’s no guarantee with loan players that you can get them back or if they’ll be available.
“The price tag for Lassana could be prohibitive. It’s a big consideration. We like the player but there’s a lot of things involved. Price, salary, his contract at Angers (two years left) and whether there will be interest from other clubs. It’s a complicated one but we do like him.
“At the same time, you have to cover yourself and signing [Glen] Kamara was a no-brainer for us.”
OPINION
Given that Kamara was signed in January as well as Steven Davis – although the Northern Irishman only arrived on loan – Rangers are planning for a future without Coulibaly. Is Gerrard merely being polite when he claims a permanent deal for the 22-year-old Mali international is on the cards? The Liverpool legend is nothing if not straight-talking and his claim that the club may pursue a full-time move for him must be taken at face value. Back in the early autumn, that appeared a no-brainer following an impressive start to life in Glasgow for Coulibaly. The last few months have seen a dip in form for him and a spell in and out of the side. He was on the bench in Saturday’s dreadful 0-0 draw against St Johnstone, coming on only for the last 14 minutes, despite the unavailability of injured regulars Ryan Jack and Scott Arfield. That suggests he is still some way down the pecking order, despite 27 appearances in a blue jersey this season. Coulibaly will surely need a strong end to the campaign to convince the Ibrox hierarchy to go big for him.