Sam Stone

Mon 1 May 2023 12:40, UK

Rangers are reportedly on the verge of landing Norwich City midfielder Kieran Dowell – and that could well be the end of the road for Scott Arfield.

The Daily Record claim (29 April) the 25-year-old has already completed his medical and has agreed to sign a three-year deal when his contract at the Championship club ends at the end of the 2022/23 season.

Much has been made of the Light Blues’ need to offload some of their older players, and Dowell’s arrival could see Arfield finally move on at the end of the season.

Michael Beale did add some confusion to the saga. Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports on Friday 21 April, the Rangers boss claimed everyone apart from Alfredo Morelos and Allan McGregor should be at the club beyond the end of the season.

Ryan Kent, Ryan Jack and Arfield are some of the players who see their deals come to a close in just a matter of weeks. After news of Dowell’s imminent arrival, it appears Beale’s comments were somewhat wide of the mark. Arfield has been a bit-part player for the majority of the campaign and, if Dowell signs, he will be even further down the pecking order.

Realistically, the Gers need to move on from players who are entering the latter stages of their careers. Arfield has been an excellent servant but is well past his best. The Norwich man would bring recent Championship experience and could thrive in the Scottish Premiership, much like Todd Cantwell has done since moving north of the border.

Eight goals and assists in 23 Championship games is a decent return and Beale will fancy his chances of developing Dowell’s game further during his time at Ibrox.

However, if the 25-year-old does arrive, Rangers fans would be wise to take Beale’s comments on out-of-contract players with a big pinch of salt. If Arfield is at Ibrox come the start of the 2023/24 season it would be a massive shock.

In other Rangers news, alarm bells are ringing loudly for this player at Ibrox after what was said on social media.