Sources: Rangers set sights on signing another Hearts star
Rangers look set to continue their raid on Hearts as they prepare a move to sign Claudio Braga, sources have told Football Insider.
The 26-year-old ranks highly on the recruitment team's shortlist at Ibrox thanks to his outstanding Scottish Premiership displays which won him the player of the season award.
Since his arrival at Hearts last summer, the winger has gone from strength to strength, and has placed Rangers scouts on high alert as they plan to sign the best domestic talent.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Derek McInnes is keen to revisit his former club once more in pursuit of bringing Braga to Rangers.
The Ibrox club have already completed deals for Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin this summer, alongside poaching McInnes following the departure of Danny Rohl.
Braga is now expected to join the mass exodus of star players from Tynecastle, with Rangers poised to take advantage of the relationship with their new manager.
Could Rangers make a move to sign Claudio Braga?
Football Insider revealed on 18 July that Celtic are plotting a move to sign Braga as they aim to capitalise on Hearts' transfer woes to lure him away from Tynecastle.
Rangers are now prepared to join their rivals in their pursuit, with the advanatge of his connection with McInnes set to play a part in them winning the race.
Hearts are now believed to be bracing for offers, having already seen their top talents poached by direct rivals, and may struggle to prevent another major departure.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "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.
"He's been a real find for them, but look, Rangers will see that opportunity where they can hurt one of their opposition by luring one of their best players away."
How do Hearts feel about selling Braga this summer?
Despite Rangers planning to step up their pursuit of Braga, they may struggle to agree terms with Hearts, who are reluctant to lose more key players this summer.
After pushing Celtic to the final day of the season in the title race, Hearts have found their squad picked apart, and are determined to avoid further blows.
Football Insider revealed on 15 July that Hearts could look to price Braga out of a move to Rangers, with a £9million price tag expected to be out of reach for the Ibrox club.
Unless Rangers can find a way to overcome the hurdle of his valuation, they may be forced to assess other targets in their efforts to strengthen out wide.
Meanwhile, sources say Braga is keen to test himself at the highest level and may look to move away from Scotland amid interest from a number of European clubs.