By Anthony Onifade

27th Apr, 2023 | 11:10am

Rangers can repeat Todd Cantwell masterclass in Kieran Dowell as transfer news emerges

Rangers are interested in signing Norwich City star Kieran Dowell this summer with Michael Beale looking to repeat his Todd Cantwell masterclass from the January window.

According to the Scottish Daily Mail print edition [back page, 25 April], the England youth international is out of contract when this season ends at Carrow Road.

Canaries manager David Wagner is said to be keen on keeping Dowell for next season but the midfielder is free to hold talks with other clubs such as Rangers over a free move, according to the report.

The Gers are no strangers to seeking out targets from Norwich City having successfully signed Dowell’s former teammate Cantwell, becoming Beale’s first addition as Rangers boss [Sky Sports News, 23 January].

Since then, Cantwell has excelled tremendously in Light Blues colours, becoming a key figure in recent months despite the club falling well behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

In 11 league games, Cantwell has gone on to register two goals and four assists proving just why he was right in seeking out a new lease of life at Ibrox after struggling to make an impression during the latter part of his career at Norwich City.

Dowell, 25, has undergone a similar pattern in his own Canaries career in recent months falling somewhat under the radar since Wagner became boss at Carrow Road.

And it’s understandable the former England youth international is desperately looking to restart his career elsewhere and given Cantwell’s success at Ibrox so far, Dowell could well follow in his former teammates’ footsteps.

Dowell possesses Premier League experience, making 19 English top-flight appearances for Norwich last season.

The Englishman has built upon that campaign since, chipping in with eight goal contributions in the Championship this year as Norwich still remains in playoff contention.

Signing Dowell for free would come as a fairly low-risk move for Beale, especially considering he ranks among their best for key passes made per 90 in the final third this season (WhoScored).

John Lundstram, Ryan Jack, Steven Davis and Scott Arfield are just four names who haven’t been consistently available or good enough for Beale and it would be no surprise to see them all move on, and there remains no guarantees that Rangers will be able to sign Malik Tillman on a permanent deal this summer.

For that reason, the Gers should start planning ahead and become proactive like their fierce rivals Celtic and signing a player of Dowell’s creative and inventive qualities to significantly rejig the midfield department represents smart business. The Gers could well be looking at a Cantwell 2.0 this summer.

In other Rangers news, Premier League player on the verge of Ibrox move as Michael Beale aims to seal new transfer.