Mendes is fit again but could soon be leaving the cold of a Scottish winter
Pedro Mendes has completed a move from Rangers to Sporting Lisbon after passing a medical and agreeing terms.
The two clubs had agreed a fee for the Portuguese international midfielder, believed to be between £1m and £2m.
Rangers manager Walter Smith could use the money to bring in a wide player, with Jerome Rothen having moved to Ankaragucu in Turkey.
"We would maybe be hopeful after losing Pedro and Jerome Rothen that we would get someone in," said Smith.
"So far there's been no luck and that might end up being the case."
Just last week, the 30-year-old iterated that he was happy to remain in Glasgow.
It could free up a bit of money, with the wide areas giving us most problems
Rangers manager Walter Smith
But Sporting rekindled their interest following a return to fitness for the playmaker, who is keen to cement his place in his country's squad for this summer's World Cup finals.
Former Portsmouth player Mendes had 18 months left on his Ibrox contract, having moved to Glasgow for a £3m fee in the summer of 2008.
A knee injury meant that he played his last game for the Ibrox side in October but the midfielder has now fully recovered.
"The move suited all parties. From the player's point of view, he is keen to be playing in the second half of the season to push for a place at the World Cup," said Smith, who believes he has sufficient options in central midfield.
"We are well covered in that area, so it made sense for all concerned.
"While it doesn't suit us to lose another player, we appreciate his circumstances.
"He has shown in his time here that he is an exceptionally good footballer and he played very well for us while he was here.
"He is one of those players who brought a good level of football to us which is always difficult in Scotland, where sometimes the game is a little more hectic than it is abroad.
"He adapted to that and, over the piece, was instrumental in helping us win the championship last season."
Rothen's exit, which Smith also confirmed, would also free up the wages due as part of his loan move from Paris St Germain.
The 31-year-old had not played for Rangers since November because of suspected swine flu, but he had already fallen out of favour at Ibrox and this month joined Ankaragucu in preference to Greek clubs Kavala and Larissa.
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