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Rangers are in competition with Sunderland to sign 27-year-old right-back Koffi Kouao from FC Metz, who will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season. Kouao has been a key player for Metz, contributing significantly in defense and attack.
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Rangers Battle Sunderland For This 27-Year-Oldâs Signing: The Right Man For Rohlâs Defensive Rebuild?
Rangers are being strongly linked with FC Metz right-back Koffi Kouao, according to a report from French outlet Media Foot, which says the Scottish Premiership club is the perfect platform for the Ivorian defenderâs profile. Kouao, 27 years old, confirmed on social media earlier this week that heâs leaving Metz when his contract runs out at the end of the season, giving clubs across Europe a chance to snap him up for free. Rangers, alongside Sunderland and an unnamed Bundesliga side, are in talks, and the race for his signature is already heating up with only about three matches left in the French season.
Kouao moved to Metz from Portuguese club Vizela in August 2022 and went on to make 113 appearances for the club, scoring 3 goals and providing 8 assists. This season, he contributed two goals and two assists across 28 matches in all competitions. His Ligue 1 stats show a reliable, high-energy full-back: he averages 2.7 tackles, 4.9 recoveries, and 5.4 duels won per game across 26 starts. Sunderland have been tracking Kouao since December and remain interested, so Danny Rohlâs side would need to act fast to beat Regis Le Brisâ side to his signature.
Rangers view Koffi Kouao as a perfect fit for their defensive rebuild, given his strong performance as a right-back.
This season, Kouao has made 28 appearances, scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists, while averaging 2.7 tackles and 5.4 duels won per game.
Rangers and Sunderland are currently in talks to sign Koffi Kouao, along with an unnamed Bundesliga club.
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GLASGOW, SCOTLAND â FEBRUARY 04: Rangers manager Danny Röhl is seen during the William Hill Premiership match between Rangers and Kilmarnock at Ibrox Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Rohl arrived at Ibrox this season with the task of tightening a defence that had been shipping goals at an alarming rate, and the logic behind looking at a free transfer with Kouaoâs profile makes sense on paper. His tackle and duel numbers show heâs a physical competitor, and four seasons of regular Ligue 1 football at a club battling relegation prove he can handle high-pressure situations. Those are exactly the kinds of qualities that should translate well for a squad still looking for consistency in the Scottish Premiership.
That said, the scouting report has some downsides. His possession won in the final third, just 0.3 per game, suggests he rarely helps win the ball back high up the pitch, which could be a problem if Rohl wants a dynamic, overlapping right-back who constantly joins the attack.
Kouaoâs return of eight assists in 113 games is pretty low, and since Metz have struggled near the bottom this season, his stats have come against lower-level Ligue 1 teams rather than top European sides. Rangers need a player who can really improve the right flank, and Kouao, at his best, offers stability rather than flair. If Rohl wants defensive reliability on a free, Kouao is a smart, low-risk option. However, if the plan is to find an attack-minded full-back, the search should probably continue.