Stoke City in pole position to sign Rangers target John Souttar
Rangers could be on the cusp of missing out on transfer target John Souttar, with EFL Championship side Stoke City reportedly leading the chase.
According to Lancashire Live, the Hearts centre-back has been linked with a move to Ibrox along with interest from Blackburn Rovers and Celtic.
However, they’re all set to miss out on his services as he appears poised to complete a move to Stoke.
The report read, “One player who Rovers may miss out on is John Souttar with Stoke City understood to be in pole position to land the Hearts central defender.
“Rangers and Celtic are in the mix for his signature but Souttar’s leaning towards a move south of the border and Rovers are admirers of the 25-year-old, who’s out of contract in the summer and may be sold in January.”
Disappointment
The January window is fast approaching and Rangers don’t quite know who their primary targets are.
Connor Goldson looks no closer to signing a new deal at the club, which makes it imperative for Gers to rope in a reinforcement.
With Goldson’s deal expiring at the end of the season, just like Souttar’s, it would’ve made sense to cash in on the Englishman and sign the Hearts defender.
Kyle Lafferty is understood to be a huge admirer of the 25-year-old and has labelled him “incredible” in October 2017.
He would’ve been a good fit for this Rangers side and would have slotted into Goldson’s role.
Much like the Englishman, he offers assurance at the back and the ability to bring the ball out of defence.
However, as things stand, he seems destined to head south of the border, which leaves Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his team looking for alternatives.
In other Rangers news, the BBC have issued a fresh Old Firm update amid recent Nicola Sturgeon development