Rangers move for Fabio Cardoso would be unpreventable, says Vitoria Setubal boss

Vitoria Setubal defender Fabio Cardoso (right) is reportedly a target for Rangers

Rangers' proposed move for Fabio Cardoso would be impossible to prevent, according to the player's current manager.

Vitoria Setubal boss Jose Couceiro is resigned to losing his prized asset, Cardoso, if Rangers are willing to follow up their interest with a reported £1m bid.

Pedro Caixinha has made it clear he is looking to sign players he already knows well in order to reduce the risk factor in their summer purchases, and Portuguese compatriot Cardoso would not face any resistance from his current side if Rangers come calling.

"I want to keep Fabio," said Couceiro, as quoted by the Daily Record. "But my team is not as big and strong as Rangers. We are a middle team in Portugal and we don't have power.

"If Rangers want a player of Vitoria, we do not have the power to prevent it or to keep this guy.

"Obviously, he is one of my best players and I want him to stay. To make a good team, you need good players always but this is life. I understand.

"If Fabio is wanted by Rangers, of course, it is good for him."

Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha is looking to sign players he already knows well this summer

Couceiro knows Caixinha well from their time in Portugal and although he is yet to hear from the Rangers boss regarding Cardoso, the Vitoria manager admitted he does not need to offer any scouting advice.

"He [Caixinha] didn't call me," said Couceiro. "He didn't need to. He knows the player very well."