Nathan Patterson ready to quit Rangers to join Everton in January, talks underway
Everton are in talks with Rangers over a deal to sign right-back Nathan Patterson in January, according to The Bobble.
The Bobble Twitter account is a very reliable source of information on the Toffees and shared updates on their pursuit of Patterson, 20, in the summer, drawing retweets and mentions from Times journalist Paul Joyce.
It is now understood that the Scotland international could end up quitting Ibrox in the upcoming January transfer window as Everton hunt down a new right-back.
The Bobble reports that the Toffees are hopeful of agreeing a deal with Patterson keen to swap Glasgow for Merseyside.
Sell up?
Rangers have quite a dilemma with Patterson.
The 20-year-old is clearly one of the most talented young players not only at Ibrox, but in the whole of Scottish football.
He’s been brilliant in almost all of his 27 senior appearances for the club and even played a role in Scotland reaching the 2022 World Cup qualifying playoffs with a goal and an assist in the vital 2-0 win over Moldova last month.
Everton’s need for a new right-back is no secret but Rangers have two very strong players in that position in Patterson and James Tavernier.
As Tavernier is the club captain, vastly experienced, a set-piece taker and a regular source of goals and assists, it’s hard for Giovanni van Bronckhorst to drop him in favour of Patterson.
Of course, there are ways to fit them both into the side but trying to play two right-backs just because you have two good right-backs isn’t the best of options when it comes to naming a balanced side.
Patterson is second-choice, struggling for regular game-time and is bound to be worth a lot of money.
Is it time to sell the young Scotland international?
Premier League clubs won’t come knocking if his game-time doesn’t increase soon so right now could be the best time to seek a profit on the young ace.
In other Rangers news, this Gers star could be ruled out until February in a major blow.