Fernandez, a 23-year-old centre-back, is a player that new sporting director Kevin Thelwell and technical director Dan Purdy are understood to have identified as a promising individual to improve Rangers’ options in defence.
Fernandez moved to the Posh in 2021 but took until last season to cement a place under Scottish boss Darren Ferguson.
Fernandez joined Peterborough in 2021 (Image: Carl Recine)
The defender was part of the squad that won last season’s EFL Cup against Birmingham at Wembley.
Standing at 6 4’ the Englishman began his career at Brentford and Gillingham and spent time on loan at Barnet in 2023. He scored five league goals last season and is known for his physical presence at the back, with his chairman Darragh MacAnthony saying earlier this year: “Manny is a Colossus. He’s been our best defender this season… He wins 75% of his headers. The best defenders win 65-70%. He’s also a massive goal threat.”
Norwich City were close to agreeing a move to sign the player in January, on the basis he’d be loaned back to the Posh for the remaining months of the season, but a move fell down in the window’s final days.
The defender signed a three-year extension with his club in 2024 and is also thought to have interest from clubs in Italy as well as the English Championship.
Meanwhile, as first reported by the Express and Star, Wolves have held talks with Rangers regarding a loan move for defender Nassar Djiga. However, the 22-year-old Burkina Faso international has a number of other clubs interested in his services.
Having moved to the Premier League outfit in January from Red Star Belgrade in a transfer worth around £10million, Djiga remains under contract at Molineux until 2030. A straight loan move is likely to be sanctioned for the defender by his parent club this window in a bid to help him adapt to English football.
The club remain hopeful of signing experienced England defender Conor Coady from Leicester.
Rangers’ defensive options are limited at present after Leon Balogun was allowed to leave following the expiry of his contract. Dujon Sterling is not expected to return from injury until October, while Neraysho Kasanwirjo also left the club upon the expiry of his loan deal from Feyenoord in June.
Robin Propper is still likely to join FC Twente, with his former club keen on securing his services, but the 31-year-old Dutchman played a part in Martin’s first bounce game against The New Saints at the Rangers Training Centre on Saturday. No deal has been agreed at present with the player still said to be considering his future after one year at Ibrox.
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John Souttar is out of contract at Ibrox next summer, with Rangers hopeful he’ll be fit in time for Champions League qualifiers against Panathinaikos later this month. Ben Davies, entering the final year of his deal, retains interest from the English Championship but returned for pre-season training last week.
Clinton Nsiala, 21, is the only other senior centre-back option at the club.
Martin and Thelwell have already added one defensive addition, with Max Aarons joining on a season-long loan from Bournemouth.
The club have also agreed a deal for Joe Rothwell, who will join Rangers from Bournemouth on a two-year deal, with the option of a third season.
