Anthony Onifade

Thu 8 June 2023 21:30, UK

A transfer stumbling block has emerged on the potential Rangers signing of Auston Trusty and Michael Beale may have a critical decision to make on one of his key stars.

According to a report in the Daily Mail [8 May], the Gers are looking at the £2million signing of the American defender after a strong loan spell at St Andrew’s this season.

Trusty has been an ever-present for Birmingham making 47 appearances in all competitions, earning himself his first cap for the USMNT after proving a success with the Championship outfit.

The Scottish Daily Mail reported in its print edition [17 May, pg 68] that the Gers were preparing to tie another deal up for the Arsenal defender after completing deals for Kieran Dowell and Dujon Sterling.

However, a snag has emerged which may make a potentially exciting deal prove difficult.

According to Football Scotland [08 June], Trusty has high wage demands and signing him right now appears unlikely as a result.

In order for a potential deal to work, Beale may be forced to free up some funds on some of his players, and that potentially includes Ben Davies, with the report claiming that a £4m sale of the former Liverpool and Preston centre-back may prove the tonic to sign Trusty.

Considering the qualities of Trusty both on and off the pitch in terms of his crucial vocal leadership, selling a key figure in Davies may be worth considering. However, the 27-year-old certainly hasn’t done much wrong to warrant a sale this summer.

There is a case to argue that centre-back is one of the crucial areas of strengthening after Beale promised recently that Rangers will look to prioritise the position during the summer, with Leon King not established yet and both Goldson and John Souttar suffering from lengthy injuries at different stages last season.

Allowing Davies to leave Ibrox will have been very costly given his experience and quality shown alongside Goldson throughout the campaign.

However, the Gers are certainly heading towards a totally different squad dynamic with Beale targeting more fresher and younger names to add quality, especially after the free signings of Dujon Sterling and Kieran Dowell over the past week or so.

Rangers have been linked with some exciting centre-back names in recent weeks, with Trusty and Nottingham Forest’s Jonathan Panzo emerging as potential long-term partners for Goldson giving Davies a huge fight on his hands to keep his place at Ibrox.

Trusty is certainly an opportunity Rangers and Beale cannot possibly ignore as he is a player well suited to the Ibrox revolution next season.

The 24-year-old has enjoyed a sensational breakthrough campaign in Birmingham colours this season, forming the backbone of a largely solid defence in the Championship.

Helping them to 13 clean sheets this season, the American international also impressively averaged 1.5 interceptions, 2.3 tackles and a whopping 4 clearances per game, also winning 57% of his total duels, 59% of his ground duels and 56% of his aerial duels [via SofaScore] highlighting his capabilities as a terrific and effective no-nonsense defender.

Not only will Trust provide tremendous help for Goldson in defence, but he’d also provide invaluable cover when Goldson isn’t present in the team, given his worrying injury record. However, signing the American international may come at an unfortunate cost.

Given the interest in Davies’ services right now, Rangers fans won’t be surprised to see Beale take a ruthless approach by allowing the 27-year-old to depart in order to fund a move for Trusty.

Though, there are several other players who arguably shouldn’t be part of the long-term project that could help fund a Trusty purchase instead of Davies, players like Glen Kamara and possibly Borna Barisic who are facing uncertain futures.

Whatever happens, Beale certainly faces a critical decision over the coming weeks.

In other Rangers news, work permit issues have now emerged which means that the club may not be able to complete a major signing this summer.