Daniel Feliciano

Thu 31 August 2023 15:40, UK

Michael Beale has identified Harry Souttar as his number one target for defensive reinforcements at Rangers before Friday’s transfer deadline, report Football Scotland.

Writing on their official website (31 August), the news outlet report that Gers are eyeing a loan deal for the Leicester centre-back who is the brother of current Ibrox star John Souttar.

Both clubs and the player are open to a move happening before the deadline on Friday at 11pm, but there is no agreement and it is expected to go to the wire.

“Beale has been looking to add another player at centre half for some time now and Harry Souttar looks to be his number one target,” they wrote.

“A loan deal would be the way in for a player who cost £15m just seven months ago and both the player and his club Leicester are thought to be happy to make it happen.

“It’s been said that a move for Souttar, the younger brother of current Gers defender John, could go right down to the wire so it could be a late one tomorrow night!”

To the wire

Leon King looks likely to leave the club on loan with lower league English clubs interested, and that means another defender is needed to come in and cover.

Currently Connor Goldson, older Souttar and Leon Balogun make up the options in the middle and Beale would like to add extra over with top flight experience to the mix.

Harry Souttar would provide that, and having grown up as a Rangers fan and having his brother already at the club he would surely fit right in and hit the ground running.

It’s going to be tight to get a deal done with no talk of a deal being close anywhere, especially with time running down, but we’ve seen the board work well so far and get deals done when they needed to.

It’s one to keep an eye on for sure, and we’ll see if it’s a smart decision or if we leave ourselves short, or even decide to keep King in the end.

In other Rangers news, could Beale enter the market for another signing after “major” update in last 24 hours?