Rangers are in advanced negotiations to sign 19-year-old Nigerian centre-back Akpe Victory from Hungarian side Zalaegerszegi TE for a fee understood to be in excess of €5 million (£4.2m). According to reports from Soccernet NG and Africa Soccer, the Ibrox club is currently leading the race for the defender despite an official approach from Benfica and monitoring from across the Bundesliga and Ligue 1. The move comes as Rangers brace for high-profile interest in Emmanuel Fernandez, with the club reportedly setting a £35m benchmark for the 24-year-old following significant interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, and Borussia Dortmund.
The tactical rationale behind the Akpe Victory pursuit
Standing at 6ft 5in, Victory fits the physical profile manager Danny Rohl has prioritised since taking charge at Ibrox. The pursuit of the teenager is understood to be a proactive move to secure defensive depth, with loan defenders Nasser Djiga and Derek Cornelius both expected to depart at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season. Should Victory arrive for the mooted £4.2m-£4.5m fee, it would represent a significant investment in a player with no previous experience in a major European league, yet it aligns with the recruitment model that saw the club successfully identify Fernandez in League One just a year ago.
Fernandez valuation scales toward club-record territory
The rise of Emmanuel Fernandez has been steep since his arrival from Peterborough United in July 2025 for an initial fee of approximately £3m. Now a Nigerian international and a member of the PFA Scotland Team of the Year, Fernandez is valued by Rangers at roughly £35m—a figure that would shatter the club's current record sale of £19.6m for Calvin Bassey. Speaking on the player's potential, Peterborough Director of Football Barry Fry told The Deck: "I made it clear Rangers would eventually sell him for £30m or even £40m." While Fernandez told The Herald he is "happy to carry on" with four years remaining on his contract, the scale of interest from Champions League regulars suggests Rangers are preparing for a significant windfall that Victory could eventually help mitigate on the pitch.
The Glasgow club will now look to technical director recruitment to finalise Victory's terms before Benfica or German suitors can hijack the deal.