Rangers ahead of Rennes, Schalke in race for goal-scoring CB who wants to play for Nigeria.

Rangers of the Scottish Premiership are in pole position to capture Peterborough United central defender Emmanuel Fernandez this summer.

Despite being eligible for England, Fernandez has stated that he wishes to represent Nigeria’s Super Eagles, however he is still in the process of obtaining a Nigerian passport.

On Wednesday morning, Football Insider reported that Rangers had begun talks to sign the promising defender. Fernandez put himself in the sale display following a standout season in which he scored five goals in 30 EFL League One outings.

Rangers and several other prominent European teams were impressed by his performance against Everton in the third round of last season’s FA Cup competition.

Allnigeriasoccer.com can confirm that Rangers will compete for the dual-national player’s signature with French Ligue 1 club Rennes and German 2.

Schalke 04, a Bundesliga club, is among the teams interested in the defender. Fernandez’s status is also being monitored by EFL Championship clubs, as well as unnamed teams from Belgium and Italy.

Rangers are the frontrunners to sign the Super Eagles prospect, having presented a five-year offer, with negotiations thought to have advanced.

Fernandez was a significant player for Peterborough last season, appearing in 42 out of 58 games and starting 39 of them.

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