Rangers have submitted a bid in the region of $10million (£7.4m) for Portland Timbers forward Kevin Kelsy, with the MLS club understood to be reluctant to sell the striker.
Kelsy has emerged as a major target for Rangers as Derek McInnes looks to strengthen his attacking options following Youssef Chermiti's ACL injury.
The 22-year-old Venezuelan has impressed during his time in MLS and has earned significant praise from former Portland head coach Phil Neville, who believes the forward still has considerable room for development.
“He knows, and everyone knows, how highly I rate this kid,” Neville said.
“He's young, plus-6-foot, athletically like a machine. But he's still developing.”
That combination of physical ability and potential appears to have caught the attention of Rangers, who have now made a substantial proposal for his services.
Neville praises Kelsy's mentality
Kelsy's appeal is not solely based on his physical attributes.
Former coach Neville has also spoke highly of the striker's attitude and willingness to put the team ahead of himself.
The ex-Portland manager previously highlighted Kelsy's team-first mentality after the forward made clear that the collective was more important than his own involvement.
“He said to me, 'The team is more important than me for this game tomorrow...'” Neville said.
“I think when you have that kind of spirit of togetherness, eventually the tide will turn.”
Marti Cifuentes replaced Neville in the summer but the former Leicester City is also a fan of the forward.
That attitude is another reason Kelsy's development has attracted attention, with the striker continuing to adapt to MLS football.
“I'm still young and obviously capable of making big changes in my life,” he said.
“One has to assimilate and accept change. I simply let myself be guided by my dreams.”
Kelsy enjoying freedom in MLS
The forward has also explained how he has developed his game during his time in MLS.
Kelsy believes the experience has given him greater freedom to express himself and understand the spaces available to him in the league.
“I feel like I had more freedom to look for my own game,” he said.
“With the time I've spent in the league, I know the spaces and how rivals defend.”
He also believes the demands of MLS have allowed him to play with greater freedom when operating with his back to goal.
“I don't feel as pressured when it comes to marking when I'm back-to-facing,” Kelsy said.
“I like to feel free to play in this league.”
Those qualities could appeal to McInnes as Rangers search for a forward capable of offering something different at the top end of the pitch.
Rangers face difficult negotiations
The major stumbling block is Portland's position.
Cifuentes’s side are understood to be not looking to sell Kelsy, despite Rangers putting a bid of around $10m on the table.
That means Rangers could have to substantially increase their offer if they want to convince the MLS club to part with one of their key attacking players.
Driouech had completed his medical and agreed personal terms before Rangers pulled out of the transfer, leaving the club needing to redirect their recruitment efforts.
Kelsy could now become the major attacking addition Rangers pursue, particularly with Chermiti facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The striker's physical profile, pace and development potential fit the type of player McInnes has described as being wanted by the club.
But with Portland reluctant to sell, Rangers' initial $10m bid may only be the beginning of negotiations rather than the figure required to secure Kelsy's signature.
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