Rangers won’t have to worry about the former Arsenal player playing against them as Real Betis, their Europa League adversary, is arranging a transfer for Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
The Gers are aware that their journey to Seville on matchday six of the Europa League this season against Real Betis might decide the fate of their group.
The standings are evenly matched going into matchday three, which sees Rangers host Sparta Prague and Real Betis visit Aris Limassol. All four teams in the group have three points.
You may pardon some fans for getting excited when Fabrizio Romano disclosed that Real Betis were in talks with former Gunners defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
Any improvement to Real Betis’ roster will undoubtedly have an impact at Rangers, since qualifying for the next round of the competition could be at stake in Spain.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos not available to play for Real Betis in Europa League
Regarding Sokratis Papastathopoulos, who cost Arsenal £17.7 million when they acquired him from Borussia Dortmund in 2018, Real Betis’ Europa League team will remain unaffected by his departure.
The 35-year-old Greek defender is free agent after being released by Olympiakos in the summer, but Real Betis is unable to add players to their Europa League roster after the cutoff.
This implies that even though the defender isn’t quite as good as he once was, Rangers won’t have to worry about playing Sokratis Papastathopoulos in Seville.
After the Saudi Pro League’s financial influence upset their squad at the end of the transfer window, Real Betis appears to be searching for a new defender.
Luiz Felipe, an Italian international center back of Brazilian descent, was sold for £21.5 million after the Spanish transfer window closed, and the team was unable to find a replacement for his impact this season.
Abdallah Sima scored the lone goal in Rangers’ 1-0 triumph over Real Betis in their only group stage win of the Europa League.
