Rangers likely to trigger £4.7m option to sign loan ace James Sands
Rangers are expected to trigger the buy option for James Sands when his loan ends in the summer of 2023, according to journalist Tom Bogert [June 7].
Sands moved to Ibrox on an 18-month loan deal during the January transfer window and became a solid squad option for Giovanni van Bronckhorst, making 11 appearances in all competitions.
Responding to a fan on who asked about the future of the 21-year-old at the club, MLS and Guardian journalist Bogert replied on his official Twitter account and shared that he expects the player to stay at Rangers even after the loan deal ends next year.
With a $6m (£4.7m) option to make the deal permanent, it seems his stay at the club into the future is likely with the journalist also sharing that the club are happy with him so far.
Bogert seems to feel that the price agreed between the clubs is a fair one and with a full season of performances to come, the option will be triggered next summer.
Yikes
Regardless of what Bogert believes, £4.7m for Sands is daylight robbery and unless something changes drastically in the next year then there’s no way Rangers should do that deal.
If that deal was to be completed it would be the fifth highest amount that the club have ever paid for a player, with only Ryan Kent of the current squad costing more.
That would be a huge outlay for the club for a player who so far has shown next to nothing on the pitch other than some great versatility to be able to play in defence and midfield, and an ability to play against opposition from a lower division.
In fairness there is another 12 months to turn it around, but with Steven Davis signing a new contract and all of Glen Kamara, Ryan Jack and John Lundstram likely to be at the club next year his game time sees unlikely to increase much.
The same can be said in defence after Connor Goldson signed a new deal and John Souttar’s imminent arrival to replace the outgoing Leon Balogun.
It seems highly unlikely that he’ll stay at Ibrox at that price, but a new deal could potentially be agreed if he finds a way to impress.
In other Rangers news, Ally McCoist tells club to make offer for player that fans will “absolutely love”