Rangers handed blow in move for striker from cash-stricken club – report
Rangers have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Wigan Athletic youngster Kyle Joseph.
The Gers had been linked with Joseph, 19, for much of the January transfer window but no deal has yet materialised.
Speaking to Wigan Today, Latics administrator Paul Stanley says he fully expects Joseph to remain with the club beyond the deadline.
“We’re not planning on losing Kyle, and we’re certainly not encouraging any more bids for him.
“We’re getting towards the end of the window now, so unless somebody came in with a stupid offer, we wouldn’t even look at it.
“The only offer we’ve had was from Barnsley last week – which is in the public domain – and that was rejected verbally last week, and rejected formally by email.
“No-one else has come in, and we don’t want anyone else to come in.”
One for the future
Joseph has burst onto the scene this season in League One. The Scot has been a shining light in Wigan’s struggling squad. He’s got five goals and one assist in twelve starts.
Without the young striker, Wigan would be rock bottom of League One on fourteen points from 23 games. His goal involvements have won his side seven points this campaign.
Most notably was his hat-trick in the 4-3 win away to Burton Albion in December. Thanks to his heroics, the Latics are still in with a chance of staying in the division.
Wigan have held firm on their prized asset. Last week they rejected a bid from Barnsley, and have also shut off interest from Spurs and Sheffield United.
With time running out, it looks like that will be it for this window and there’s no rush for us – we are well stocked in attack.
However, he’s exactly the sort of prospect that we should be looking for on a free.
This might be news which will frustrate Rangers boss Steven Gerrard. However, it’s been just about the only negative bit of news all season.
We are on course to claim 55 and sit a proud 23 points ahead of Celtic in the race for the title. Champions League football could help us attract Joseph and a different calibre of player in the summer.
In other Rangers news, Ally McCoist has made an incredible claim as the 55th league title is in sight.