Rangers: Joshua Barrie ‘surprised’ as new Leon Balogun contract mooted at Ibrox
Joshua Barrie has shared that he would be surprised if Leon Balogun was handed a new contract at Rangers, despite his impressive performances under Philippe Clement.
The Rangers Review journalist insisted that he doesn’t expect the club to head into next season with the same four options at centre-back.
This has come following the news that John Lundstram is set to sign a new deal at Ibrox, with his current deal also set to expire at the end of this season.
Speaking to The Rangers Review [22 February], Barrie shared: “He’s been really good, and he was Clement’s first-choice centre-half next to Connor Goldson up until he got that injury.
“I would be inclined not to keep him because I think his game relies on a lot of physicality. I could understand the thinking behind giving him another year’s contract, but that is a position Rangers should look to have a bit of change.
“I’d be very surprised if Rangers go into next season with the same four centre-backs.”
Will Leon Balogun sign a new deal at Rangers?
While there is no suggestion as to what the club are thinking in terms of a new contract offer, the age and profile of Balogun are no longer in line with the type of deal Rangers are aiming to pull off.
The arrival of Nils Koppen as the director of football saw a switch in transfer strategy which resulted in the arrivals of the likes of Mohamed Diomande – whom Koppen personally praised – and Oscar Cortes.
A focus on younger players with the potential to grow and be sold for a profit in the future means the likes of 35-year-old Balogun could be made surplus to requirements at Ibrox.
However, with Clement having used the Nigerian frequently in his starting XI this season, the boss may still opt to stick with what he has this summer.
Chris Jack previously suggested that all three of Balogun, Leon King and Ben Davies could leave Ibrox at the end of the season, in a bit to recoup some funds and reinvest in the position, with all of them seemingly on the chopping block.
In other Rangers news, Barry Ferguson has made a new Fabio Silva demand.
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