Motherwell defender Emmanuel Longelo is not a transfer target for Rangers despite recent speculation linking him with a move to Ibrox. A report from roundtable.io states that no bid or negotiations have been confirmed between the clubs, describing the interest as very early-stage or a possible misunderstanding.
Longelo, a 25-year-old left-back, has been a key figure for the Steelmen. He joined the club for an undisclosed fee and his contract runs until the end of the 2026-27 season, with an option for a further year. The Englishman, a product of the West Ham United academy, scored eight league goals last season, including a brace in Motherwell's 3-2 victory at Ibrox last April.
Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri initially claimed that Longelo was seeking a move before the September transfer window closed. Tavolieri suggested Rangers were considering the Englishman as a potential option on the left flank, with talks being a possibility. "Longelo was looking for a way out before the transfer window shut in September," Tavolieri said. He added, "The Gers were looking at the Englishman as a potential option on the left flank, with talks being a possibility."
These claims emerged against a backdrop of Rangers' own squad issues, with Tuur Rommens sidelined by a groin injury and new loan signing James Penrice arriving to provide cover. This created a perceived depth problem on the left side for the Light Blues.
Subsequent reporting, however, did not support the idea of a concrete move. The Daily Record reported that Rangers held no interest in signing Longelo from Motherwell. The outlet's stance indicates the story lacked substance, with no formal approach made for the player. This leaves Longelo firmly as part of Stuart Kettlewell's plans at Fir Park.
Motherwell's strong start to the season, sitting third in the Premiership with eight points from four games, shows the value of retaining key players. The team has scored eight goals and conceded only four, putting them four points behind leaders Celtic.
Statistically, Longelo has been a creative force from full-back this campaign. He averages 0.35 expected assists (xA) per 90 minutes, a metric that ranks him in the 90.9th percentile among left-backs in the Scottish Premiership. His dribbling is also a standout attribute, completing 2.18 successful dribbles per 90, which places him in the 93.9th percentile for his position.
Despite these creative numbers, he has not found the net in the league this season, a contrast to his eight-goal haul last term. His journey to Scotland included spells at Birmingham City and a loan at Cambridge United, where he made 15 league appearances, before finding a consistent home at Motherwell.
With the transfer speculation now settled, focus returns to Motherwell's on-field campaign. The team's next challenge is an away fixture against Heart of Midlothian on December 12th. Hearts currently sit sixth in the table, making it a significant match in the early-season schedule. Fans can view the full run of games on our fixtures section.
Longelo remains an important component of a Motherwell squad looking to maintain its positive form. His contract situation provides stability, and his performance data suggests he will continue to be a major attacking outlet from defence. For a detailed look at the squad's composition, visit our squad page. The team's next match is at Tynecastle on the 12th of December.
