Rangers now preparing move for £9m star, McInnes thinks he’s “unbelievable”

Rangers are now preparing a move for Hearts striker Claudio Braga, with Derek McInnes eyeing a reunion.

Braga received the Scottish Premiership Player of the Season award last season, courtesy of his performances for a Hearts side that only narrowly missed out on the title, and McInnes singled him out for some very high praise at the end of February.

The ex-Hearts boss said: “His output’s unbelievable, it always has been. His fitness, he’s absolutely dedicated to his craft. He makes the sacrifices. He’s all about his fitness and his level of performance.”

The centre-forward collected five assists in 33 league appearances, while also finding the net on 14 occasions, which meant he finished the campaign as the joint-fifth highest scorer.

Moreover, the Portuguese forward averaged 1.2 successful dribbles per 90 in the Scottish Premiership, which was the second-highest number of any Hearts player, and underlines his ability to drive at opposition defences.

The Gers have already made a splash in the transfer market by signing Shankland from Hearts, and they could be set to raid their Scottish Premiership rivals again.

Rangers preparing move for Claudio Braga

According to a report from Football Insider, Rangers are now preparing a move for Bragawith McInnes eager to raid his former club once again.

The former Moss FK man ‘ranks highly on the recruitment team’s shortlist’, and he is expected to leave the Jam Tarts, who are suffering a mass exodus after coming up short in the title race.

However, Hearts are unwilling to let their star player leave on the cheap, and they have set an asking price of £9m.

Transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke added: “Braga was probably Hearts’ best player last year, winning the Scottish Premiership Player of the Season as well.

“It’s the price of success, Hearts are finding out, so they know they’re probably going to have offers for the Portuguse winger this year. “As you said, you’ve got Rangers in pursuit, with the obvious links to Derek McInnes there, and having brought in a couple of his old Hearts players already.

“It’s something they would have to reluctantly agree to because they would get a huge profit on him having signed him for a very small fee last summer as well.”

Rangers also keen on signing Stephy Mavididi

Despite signing Shankland, Rangers remain keen on strengthening their forward line this summer, and Leicester City’s Stephy Mavididi has now emerged as a target.

An approach has already been made to the Foxes, and the 28-year-old could be a versatile option for McInnes, considering he is capable of playing on both wings and at centre-forward.

That said, a record of three goals and two assists in 42 Championship matches last season isn’t exactly eye-catching, so Braga should perhaps be the Gers’ top target.