Rangers transfer target Kevin Mantilla has broken his silence on being linked with a move to Ibrox and admitted he knows about interest from European clubs.

The 19-year-old central defender is rated as one of the best young prospects in South America and helped Colombia reach the semi-finals of the CONMEBOL Under 20s Championship this month.

The Santa Fe stopper was linked with a move to Rangers this week and was previously touted for a transfer to Liverpool last month too.

Clubs in Italy, Portugal and Greece have also been credited with an interest in Mantilla and his club reportedly rejected a £1.5 million offer from Olympiakos last month.

But Mantilla has insisted he is only concentrating on playing for his club in Bogota and not thinking about linking up with Colombian countryman Alfredo Morelos at Rangers...for now.

He said: "I am very calm about all the transfer interest. It's all in the hands of God.

"I know which teams are interested in me in Europe and it's very nice to hear about them. I have been kept informed about who have asked about me.

"My head is with Santa Fe though. It's important for me to concentrate on the season ahead with them.

"I will wait to see if one of the clubs who are interested in me make a firm proposal, but for now I can't do anything.

"We want to win the league this season. I am only a young player and I have a lot to learn. At the moment, the best place for me to do that is here in Colombia.

"But of course, the truth is that I do dream of one day taking the leap to European football."

Mantilla, who has been capped 15 times for Colombia Under 20s, has played 26 games for his club.Glasgow Times:

 

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