Leon Balogun has Rangers medical ahead of Ibrox return after Leon King injury
Leon King was in Glasgow for a Rangers medical on Monday (10 July) and is now set to return to the club, according to the Daily Record.
Michael Beale is set to sign the free agent for a second year running after bringing him in at QPR following his Ibrox exit last summer.
The Gers boss was already in the market for a new centre-back during the window, with Jonathan Panzo pursued as the first-choice option, but after Leon King was hit by a major injury blow Balogun is about to be brought back as cover.
Rangers confirmed on Tuesday night (11 July) that the 19-year-old would be out for a “significant period of time” after being injured Monday during the preseason training camp in Germany.
Balogun, 35, was spotted at Ibrox during the final Old Firm derby of the season and had spoken about his hopes for remaining with the club before he left a year ago [Beautiful Game Podcast, 6 December].
And it appears Rangers reacted quickly to King’s injury to get medical tests underway the same day as he was ruled out, and the seventh summer signing is now imminent.
Needs must
When fit Balogun is a highly capable centre-back and is the kind of commanding presence in the defence that Rangers had to make do without at times last season.
Injuries caused a crisis at the position, and with Connor Goldson currently not recovered from his most recent knock, it looks like that trend is set to continue.
John Souttar and Ben Davies are the fit senior options, and the former’s own record of availability is very patchy, so reinforcements which were already sought became a priority with the King development.
That is the running theme throughout in this situation, and with Balogun only making 16 appearances for QPR last season there will be some doubts over the reliability of his own fitness back at Ibrox.
He was ruled out with knocks in both of his previous Rangers campaigns so it could end up being a revolving cast under Beale next term.
He shouldn’t be too expensive to bring in and provides a veteran presence in a squad that has lost a number of those this summer, and if he is available could prove valuable cover.
In other Rangers news, another new striker is on the agenda and he has had his head turned by the opportunity on offer at Ibrox.