Rangers loan-to-buy deal to sign Jack Butland mooted as BBC Sport share Crystal Palace transfer update
Sun journalist Alan Nixon has mooted the possibility of Rangers signing Crystal Palace goalkeeper Jack Butland on a loan-to-buy deal this summer.
On 28 May, Nixon reported on The Sun’s website that Rangers are interested in signing Butland while BBC Sport claimed on 27 May that Sam Johnstone’s expected arrival at Selhurst Park “is likely to trigger the departure of” the 29-year-old shot-stopper.
Writing on his Patreon account on Saturday (4 June), Nixon told one of his subscribers that “a loan with a view to buy might work” for the Light Blues to strike a deal for Butland this summer.
Keep McGregor
Why would Rangers want Butland when they already have a far better goalkeeper on their books in Allan McGregor?
Of course, McGregor is 40-years-old now and his contract at Ibrox has already expired.
However, on 3 June, The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell reported that McGregor has been offered the chance to extend his stay at Ibrox for at least another year.
As well as McGregor, Giovanni van Bronckhorst already has Jon McLaughlin and youngster Robby McCrorie.
Andy Firth has already left Ibrox but in McGregor, McLaughlin and McCrorie, the goalkeeping department will be fine for at least another year and maybe we won’t have to sign dross like Butland.
The former Stoke and Birmingham goalkeeper has struggled for game-time in his spell at Crystal Palace.
Since joining them in October 2020, he’s played just 17 times in all competitions as he failed to make himself their number one choice.
And Johnstone’s imminent arrival from West Brom suggests that Patrick Vieira really doesn’t rate the nine-time England international, who has another year left on his deal in South London.
You can do better than this, Rangers.
Please, do not sign Butland.
In other Rangers news, Aston Villa are expected to wrap up a deal to sign this Gers player in the coming weeks.