BBC reporter names Rangers in hunt with Fulham and Bournemouth for Joe Rothwell
Rangers are in the hunt for free agent midfielder Joe Rothwell alongside promoted English clubs Fulham and Bournemouth, says BBC Sport’s Ian Dennis.
The club were believed to be interested in the then-Blackburn player before Christmas, with Steven Gerrard a fan, but looked to have moved on once the January transfer window arrived.
The 27-year-old was close to joining the Cherries in the winter but Rovers chief executive Steve Waggott wouldn’t sanction the deal (The Athletic), and Rothwell has now left Ewood Park at the end of his contract and is reportedly being chased by multiple sides, including the Gers.
BBC Sport reporter Ian Dennis wrote on his official Twitter account: “Fulham are looking to rival Bournemouth’s efforts to sign Blackburn midfielder Joe Rothwell.
“AFCB had a bid turned down in Jan.
“Rothwell is out of contract this summer.
“Rangers and a host of Championship clubs are also understood to be interested in Rothwell.”
Improvement?
Whether the Light Blues would be able to compete with the newly-won English Premier League riches of the two names competitors is presumably doubtful.
But that hasn’t put off the various Championship clubs south of the border from maintaining their own chase, thought to be West Brom, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United (Alan Nixon).
There could be a number of changes to the midfield playing staff over the summer, as Aaron Ramsey’s loan is over, Joe Aribo and Glen Kamara have been linked with exits, and 37-year-old Steven Davis’ contract is currently set to expire.
If the latter three stay however it is difficult to see where Rothwell would fit in, with Ryan Jack and John Lundstram also van Bronckhorst favourites.
January signing James Sands is still in the mix, and would surely be hoping for a greater role next season with Ramsey gone, after struggling to make an impact this year.
If the club did lose Aribo and Kamara then there would be a need to strengthen, but unless they feel that Rothwell would come in at the top of the pecking order it would seem logical to let the English teams fight it out for him.
In other Rangers news, the club have made a change at Ibrox Thursday (26 May) after a wait over a decade came to an end.