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Rangers transfer news: Arsenal loanee Auston Trusty is seven-figure Ibrox target after successful Birmingham spell
Rangers want to sign Arsenal loanee Auston Trusty after the American’s strong spell on loan at Birmingham City, the Daily Mail reports.
The 24-year-old has only been in English football for less than a year, having been loaned straight to St. Andrew’s from the Emirates after arriving from MLS.
He has made 47 appearances in all competitions, starting nearly every game this season, and has earned his first cap for the USMNT after proving a success with the Blues.
Now the Gers are looking at a £2million deal to bring him to Ibrox, with the club reportedly “keen” on a move for a player described as: “Though not the most technical of footballers, Trusty concentrates on defending and is a strong athlete.”
The first signing of the summer appears to be wrapped up, with the same report stating that a deal for Norwich City’s out-of-contract midfielder Kieran Dowell is “already agreed”, so Michael Beale is apparently moving onto other areas of the squad next.
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Since the departures of Calvin Bassey and Leon Balogun last summer the Rangers central-defensive partnerships have looked lightweight at times.
Connor Goldson will always start when fit, but behind him it has been a revolving door of Ben Davies, Leon King, John Souttar and the long-departed James Sands.
None have made the position their own and most have also struggled injuries at times, so the virtually ever-present campaign that Trusty has had in the Championship certainly speaks to availability.
He appears to have adapted quickly to football in Britain and defensive capabilities remain the key aspect for players at the position even as ball-playing centre-backs become more and more common, even if a lack of technical ability might be a concern to some supporters.
Davies could be sold this summer, and while Souttar may come good still he has had a pretty miserable debut campaign at Ibrox, so it is no surprise that Rangers are back in the market for a defender.
If Trusty can be a more commanding presence than the signing from Liverpool a year ago then swapping one out for the other would likely be a satisfactory outcome in what is sure to be a busy summer.
In other Rangers news, a £20million transfer budget has been mooted to complete all of the necessary business during the window.