17 May 2007

RANGERS are weighing up a summer move for Osasuna hardman centre-half Carlos Cuellar.

As revealed in SportTimes yesterday, the 25-year-old shot on to Walter Smith's radar when the teams met in the Uefa Cup back in March.

And Smith has had the 6ft 3in stopper watched since. Cuellar is believed to be available on a Bosman after signing a four-year contract with the Pamplona club when he arrived from Numancia in 2003.

Club sources today confirmed there is a serious interest in the player and contact has been established.
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Smith, though, has yet to decide whether or not to move in with a concrete contract offer.

Cuellar's rugged style impressed Smith and he believes he has the physical qualities needed to play in the SPL.

Veterans Davie Weir and Ugo Ehiogu will only have one last season in them next time around, and Smith is looking to put some long-term foundations in for the years ahead.

Andy Webster will be signed from Wigan in the next few weeks and, at the same age, Cuellar could be more of the long-term solution. Source - EveningTimes

18 May 2007

RANGERS will have to come up with at least £2million to land Osasuna defender Carlos Cuellar.

Record Sport understands the Spanish hardman is one of the top names on Walter Smith's summer shopping list and the player is keen on a switch to Scotland.

But reports the 25-year-old will be available on a Bosman transfer are wide of the mark.

In fact, Cuellar is tied up on a long-term deal in Pamplona and Smith has already set aside enough cash to finance a bid of at least £2m to secure his services.

Cuellar impressed Smith earlier this season with his performances for the La Liga outfit as they dumped Rangers out of the UEFA Cup.

The Ibrox boss has since despatched former Rangers defender John Brown on a series of spying missions to Spain and has received glowing reports on his form.

But Rangers are unlikely to enter into serious discussions with Osasuna until the end of the La Liga season - or at least until the Spaniards have pulled themselves clear of the battle to beat the drop. Source - Daily Record

13 June 2007

Spanish defender Carlos Cuellar has begged Osasuna not to stand in the way of a possible move to Rangers.

The 25-year-old was reportedly the recent subject of a failed £1m bid from Ibrox manager Walter Smith.

But Cuellar told the Daily Record: "I just hope I don't lose this chance because my mind is already in Glasgow.

"Osasuna know it is my wish to sign for Rangers but I do understand they will only let me go when they are happy with the price. That is their right."

Cuellar, a one time trialist with Leeds, played against Rangers in last season's Uefa Cup.

He starred in the 1-1 draw at Ibrox but was an unused substitute in the return leg - a 1-0 win for Osasuna.

"I just hope everything gets sorted soon because I just want to get my suitcase packed and get started in Glasgow," added Cuellar.

"I would love to play for Rangers and I have made that clear to Osasuna." Source - BBC Sport

30 June 2007

Carlos Cuellar is happy to remain at Osasuna unless Rangers increase their offer for the central defender.

The 25-year-old would like to join the Glasgow club after sampling the Ibrox atmosphere in the Uefa Cup.

But Pedro Bravo said: "There have been offers. The most recent one was not satisfactory to Osasuna.

"So Cuellar will continue to be an Osasuna player with pride. Cuellar is very grateful to Osasuna and he is not going to force his exit."

Bordeaux winger Julien Faubert has refused to train with the French club after they rejected an offer from Rangers.

But Cuellar will not be using such tactics.

"To allow Cuellar to go to Rangers, there must firstly be an agreement between Rangers and Osasuna," Bravo told local newspaper Diario de Navarra.

"In their heart, Osasuna know what the player wants. But, at the moment, we can't do anything else.

"We are in the hands of those who have him contracted and who pay him.

"If Osasuna do not accept the offer from Rangers, it will be their right and we will respect them.

"Cuellar wants what is best for Osasuna and for himself.

"If there is an agreement with Rangers, Cuellar will sit down with Rangers to see if he can reach an agreement." Source - BBC Sport