Rangers eye move for Bristol City defender Zak Vyner ahead of Southampton and Luton Town as contract talks stall at Ashton Gate
Rangers are “considering making a move” for Bristol City defender Zak Vyner before the close of the window, according to Bristol Live.
The outlet reported on their website Sunday 13 August that the Light Blues were joined by promoted Premier League outfit Luton Town and relegated Championship side Southampton with interest in the 26-year-old who is engaged in contract talks as he enters the final year of his current deal.
According to Bristol Live the centre-back was “excellent” in the club’s 1-0 win over Millwall on Saturday but manager Nigel Pearson has “admitted there’s been no further development” in discussions over a new deal for Vyner at Ashton Gate.
Michael Beale has been linked to a deal for a new centre-back this summer with pursuits for then-Arsenal man Auston Trusty and Nottingham Forest’s Jonathan Panzo amid injury concerns among his current options.
John Souttar impressed alongside the returning Leon Balogun in the 4-0 win over Livingston on Saturday, but it appears the manager is still interested in a further move.
Opportunity
While Vyner’s form might make Pearson loath to lose him at this stage of the season it seems like progress towards a new deal has stalled.
Now represents one of the last times Bristol City could sell the defender, who has made 146 appearances for the club, and still get a return.
So it is no surprise that three sides are sniffing around, and should any one put a decent offer to the player he might be minded to take up a new challenge.
It goes without saying that Premier League interest carries weight but with Luton facing an uphill battle on their return to the English top flight might be a chance for a club like Rangers to sway him with a possible title race and even Champions League football if the Gers navigate the qualifiers.
With everybody in the squad fit the Light Blues look like they have plenty of options in central defence, with Souttar and Connor Goldson at the top of the pile, veteran back up in Balogun and Ben Davies, plus a developing youngster in Leon King.
But all five of those players have had notable injuries in the past year and that has carried on into the new campaign, so for peace of mind Beale may have spied an opportunity to fortify his squad with a man who started 45 of 46 league games last season.
In other Rangers news, the Gers want a seven-figure fee after three clubs made contact with a first-team squad player over a move.