Rangers Closing In On This Marseille Defender: Why They Have Addressed A Long-pending Problem | OneFootball

If a recent transfer update from Fabrizio Romano is believed to be true, Rangers are closing in on Marseille defender Derek Cornelius before Monday’s deadline. The Light Blues have struggled so far under the tutelage of Russell Martin, but the spending spree is expected to continue at Ibrox, as they pursue a transition both in terms of arrivals and exits.

The 27-year-old Canadian international had spells with Ajax SC, Spartacus SC and Unionville Milliken SC in Ontario before plying his trade in Germany to pursue his football career. There, he earned senior status with the lower-league outfits VfB Lübeck and VfR Neumünster, but was eventually snapped up by the then-Serbian Superliga side Javor Ivanjica following successful trials.

After two years in Serbia, Cornelius returned to his homeland with Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Greek club Panetolikos loaned him in ahead of the 2021-22 season, and his towering presence in the defensive third earned him a €458,000 move to the Swedish giants Malmö in January 2023. He continued to impress in Allsvenskan, which led to a €4m transfer to French heavyweights Marseille last summer.

TORONTO, ON – JUNE 10: Derek Cornelius #13 of Canada shoots on goal as Ghislain Konan #3 of Ivory Coast defends during an International Friendly at BMO Field on June 10, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

Cornelius has so far appeared 24 times under Roberto De Zerbi, but slipped down the pecking order after CJ Egan-Riley and Facundo Medina’s arrival. Egan-Riley has started alongside skipper Leonardo Balerdi against Paris FC, and the gaffer could also rely on veteran Geoffrey Kondogbia as a makeshift centre-half, similar to their season opener against Stade Rennais. The Canadian, being surplus to requirements at Stade Vélodrome, should benefit from a switch to Rangers for multiple reasons.

Why Rangers Have Made The Right Move

Martin has roped in Nasser Djiga and Manny Fernandez, but lost Robin Propper and Leon Balogun. Having failed to impress on loan, Rafael Fernandes and Neraysho Kasanwirjo returned to their parent clubs upon the conclusion of the 2024-25 season. Clinton Nsiala and Leon King do not appear to be in the manager’s plans, leaving him with Djiga, Fernandez, and John Souttar as the only available central defensive options.

Moreover, all the senior centre-backs are right-footed, and therefore, Cornelius would offer the right balance in the heart of the backline. His stronger left foot should allow him to slot in as a left fullback, particularly after Jefte and Ridvan Yilmaz’s departures. Jayden Meghoma is too young to feature week in, and week out, and Max Aarons, on loan from Bournemouth, is not a like-for-like solution.

De Zerbi, known for playing it out on the back, has trained Cornelius for more than a year. He should attune to Martin’s system and soon hit the ground running in Scottish football.