Rangers have learned that it will take a bid of £12.6 million to secure Porto winger Goncalo Borges, according to O Jogo.

Andre Villas-Boas noted on their website (28 July) that he does not expect clubs to activate Borges’ £42.2 million release clause, but the “formal” bid from Rangers falls short of Porto’s expectations.

Rangers have submitted a concrete proposal for Borges, as have Strasbourg, and talks will continue with both clubs in the coming days. While Porto is pleased with Borges’ performance, they are open to selling him for the right price.

To acquire Borges, Rangers would need to break the Scottish transfer record.

Improvement in every area of the pitch is on the agenda at Ibrox this summer, and Borges has been identified as a potential addition. So far, Hamza Igamane has been the only attacking addition, with Fabio Silva and Abdallah Sima returning to their parent clubs. Philippe Clement needs to prioritize new recruits for his front line.

Sam Lammers has recently completed a move to FC Twente, and more departures are expected, with Cyriel Dessers also likely to leave. Signing Borges would make him the second most expensive signing in Scottish football, behind Tor Andre Flo’s move to Rangers from Chelsea in 2000, a fee that Rangers may struggle to raise.

Spending such a significant amount on a player who has registered just three assists in 50 first-team appearances for Porto might seem excessive, but Clement believes he has found his marquee signing and is willing to negotiate a lower price.

A big-money move could reassure Rangers fans who are anxious about the ongoing player turnover during what is shaping up to be the club’s most extensive summer overhaul.

At 23 years old, Borges offers valuable Champions League and Portuguese top-flight experience. Should Porto be willing to lower their asking price, he would be an astute acquisition for Clement.