George Overhill

Thu 27 July 2023 19:10, UK

A deal between Rangers and Leeds United for Glen Kamara is “still ongoing” with talks continuing, according to Stevie Clifford.

Personal terms are reported to have already been agreed for the Finnish international to head to Elland Road [Last Word on Sports, 17 July], but any imminent move had cold water poured on it by Jonny McFarlane on Wednesday (26 July).

However Clifford, of official club partner Four Lads Had A Dream, believes the 27-year-old is still set to leave as he has “completely checked out”, and has reported that talks between Rangers and the Whites have not stopped so the deal remains on the cards.

Speaking on the Rangers Review morning briefing on Thursday (27 July, 13m 20s) Clifford said: “Glen Kamara’s time’s up. I know that that move to Leeds is still ongoing, they’re still talks there.

“If we could get four or five million pounds for him that’s a real win for us because I think he’s completely checked out.”

Slow progress

Both Michael Beale and Kamara himself have more or less made plain publicly that he is set to go so behind the scenes it is likely to be even more clear.

If that is the case then it would be in everyone’s interest for a deal to be worked out sooner rather than later, so while it is encouraging that Clifford has reported talks continuing it is somewhat of a frustration that McFarlane’s view is they aren’t close to completion.

Clearly there are a lot of moving parts involved, and the fact that Leeds have lost a host of players this summer for minimal loan fees thanks to relegation isn’t going to be helping their ability to spend.

But if it is going to happen later down the line it would mean Rangers have less time to use the fee brought in to complete their own signings, and both the exit-bound midfielder and his new employers playing catch up with their work for the new season.

Whether it is Elland Road or another suitor that ultimately signs him it will presumably whoever makes the best offer, but there may be some logic in getting the deal done earlier if possible even if it means a small amount of extra value is left on the table.

If Kamara was in Beale’s plans he would be a very useful option, but the fact that the manager appears to have moved on likely means he is going to be stuck on the bench at best in Glasgow.

There are a few weeks left in the window but an agreement looks beneficial all round if it arrives in good time before the deadline.

In other Rangers news, an active end to the transfer window is expected at Ibrox even after the arrival of Danilo is completed.