Rangers transfer update: Sam Lammers signing given manager go ahead amid contract news in Italy
Rangers are pushing to get Sam Lammers signed “soon” after the door was opened in Italy by Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini, the Scottish Sun reports.
The Serie A side had put transfer business on hold amid talks with the veteran manager who has now agreed to extend his current deal to stay on in Bergamo.
He has also sanctioned an exit for Lammers, who spent the season on loan at Empoli and them Sampdoria, giving Rangers the green light to complete a deal for the Dutchman.
According to the Scottish Sun: “The 6ft 3in striker has been identified by Michael Beale as a key summer addition.
“And Rangers have opened talks as they look to get a deal over the line soon.”
The activity at the Ibrox end may have already advanced further, with the Scottish Mail on Sunday (11 June, p.100-101) reporting a medical has been scheduled.
Road is clear
From the sounds of things everything is now set up for Lammers to arrive at Rangers this summer, assuming Beale is prepared to pay what Atalanta want – roughly £3million.
If the Ibrox boss sees the 26-year-old as a key addition then he presumably is willing to do so, especially after Lammers cost more than double that just three seasons ago on moving to the Serie A side.
But there have to be some doubts over his suitability for that money given his scoring record in the intervening seasons has been less then stellar.
There is a reason that a striker who cost £8million is now available for a relatively small fee, and two goals for Atalanta, combined with four in total across three loan spells with Eintracht Frankfurt, Empoli and Sampdoria, aren’t great reading.
Beale clearly sees him as the sort of player who will fit into his system, and the hope will be that in the right environment he is more of the player who scored 16 goals in the Eredevisie for Heerenveen, plus three more in the cup, in the 2018/19 season.
Should he find his previous form then £3million would be a snip, but with so many new arrivals required this summer it would be a lot to blow on one man if he doesn’t start firing in the SPFL fast.
In other Rangers news, one Sky Sports pundit has reacted to “outstanding” confirmed Light Blues transfer news.