Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez could be poised for "a heck of a step up" to Premier League champions Arsenal this summer, according to former Gunners great Alan Smith. The centre-back, who joined Rangers from Peterborough for around £3.5m last summer, has attracted interest from several European clubs after an impressive campaign at Ibrox.
Fernandez's Rise and Interest from Top Clubs
The 24-year-old endured a slow start to life in Glasgow but went on to become a key figure in Rangers' backline. Stade Rennes, Feyenoord, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund are among the clubs tracking the defender, with Arsenal also reportedly monitoring his progress. Smith told Record Sport via BestBettingSites.co.uk: "That keeps popping up. Maybe they've had a good look at him, the analytics and all the rest of it, seen his figures."
Smith highlighted Fernandez's unconventional career path: "He's had a really topsy-turvy career. He's been all over the place, non-league, hasn't he? And it's only in the last year or so that he's come into what you would call, obviously, a very big football club in Rangers. And clearly, he's done well."
Step Up to Arsenal Considered
Despite the speculation, Fernandez has insisted he is in no rush to leave Rangers this summer. However, Smith believes the defender may be ready for the challenge: "He's 24 now. So after that checkered start to his football career, maybe he's ready, but a heck of a step up to go to a club like Arsenal."
Fernandez is not the only Rangers player attracting attention. Connor Barron and Nico Raskin are also being tracked, while John Souttar and Danilo are expected to leave the club. Former Rangers hero Charlie Miller reckons some big-money offers will see decisions taken out of manager Derek McInnes' hands.
Miller: McInnes Cannot Control Departures
Miller told the Sunday Post: "Boys will leave. There is interest in four or five of the lads and a few will be moved on. One or two could go for really big money. So, we will see how that all shapes up between now and the transfer window closing at the start of September."
He added: "Derek can't control that kind of thing, but he is in charge of what happens on the field and he will be hard but fair on the squad. He will put demands on them and the players need to show they have all the attributes to deliver success."
