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Rangers could seal perfect free transfer for Jack Butland after Crystal Palace news
Rangers could land England international goalkeeper Jack Butland for nothing in the summer, with The Athletic reporting that he may not be offered a new deal at Crystal Palace.
He is currently on loan at Manchester United, where he is yet to play since making the temporary move from south London in January.
Palace are said to have the option of another year on his contract which expires at the end of the season, creating an intriguing situation ahead of the new campaign.
Triggering such a clause would allow them to bring in a fee for the former Stoke number one but the report from The Athletic seems to suggest that won’t be happening.
“Next season is likely to see Remi Matthews restored as Palace’s third-choice goalkeeper, with Johnstone and Guaita battling for the No 1 spot and the two 19-year-olds – Whitworth and Owen Goodman – expected to gain experience at senior level out on loan,” it was claimed.
“Jack Butland, currently on loan at Manchester United is out of contract in the summer and is unlikely to be offered a new deal.”
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Crucial decision
Journalist Alan Nixon, speaking to a fan on Twitter [17 April], recently intimated that he was aware of previous genuine interest in the 30-year old from Ibrox but he wasn’t sure if that was still the case.
He added that he believes the Selhurst Park side has the option to retain the keeper for another 12 months.
This is the biggest issue.
Butland has a massive decision to come on his career on what he wants for himself over the next few seasons.
Does he want to play and be a number one, or will he be content to be part of a squad in the Premier League where he is only considered as backup to the main goalkeeper? So far this season, he has not played at all, either for Palace or United.
At the end of the campaign, talks will take place between the player and his parent club to sort out his future.
Rangers need to be at the table with a strong offer to entice the goalkeeper up to Scotland as he has the quality required to replace Allan McGregor as an undisputed first-choice at Ibrox.
This could be perfect.
In other Rangers news, Ryan Kent and representatives hold transfer talks with Burnley.