Rangers: John Lundstram Ibrox deal a 'no-brainer' as Premier League move dismissed

Staying at Rangers should be a "no-brainer" for John Lundstram if he wants the best chance to win trophies, says Derek Ferguson.

The ex-Ibrox midfielder accepts that the 30-year-old will have to consider the financial aspect of staying in Glasgow or potentially returning to England given it may be the last big move he makes.

But Ferguson doesn't believe there will be an exit route to the Premier League south of the border so he remains relatively confident that Rangers will be able to keep hold of the first-team regular.

Lundstram's deal currently runs out at the end of the season and Philippe Clement indicated that talks were being held over an extension, but he too called it a "financial thing" between the club and the player [Daily Record, 20 January].

Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News he said: “Does he really want to be back down in England? Not having a go at the Championship in England because I’m not so sure there’d be too many Premier League clubs who’d be battering down the door to sign him.

“I’m just trying to be sensible with this. Would it be a Championship club? For me it’s a no-brainer to stay at Rangers if he wants to win things. 

“But then again we don’t know his situation. Money, he’s getting to his 30s, so he’s got a decision to make. 

“I think we could persuade him because the fans love him at the moment. But again, the financial point, he’s got to make a few bob to come to the end of his career.”

Rangers success vs Championship pay day for ex-Sheffield United man?

Lundstram himself has admitted he would "love" to stay at Ibrox [STV, 3 January] so the only thing between him committing to extending his time with the club into a fourth season logically must be the money the club is offering.

Unless he has come up with outlandish demands it would seem like a worthwhile investment given the importance he has in Clement's Rangers set up.

While his midfield partner has rotated between Ryan Jack, Mohamed Diomande, Nico Raskin and Tom Lawrence at different times this season Lundstram has been a near-constant for the Belgian manager, and it would cost a lot more to replace him if he left.

In other Rangers news, the Light Blues completing a deal for a new star striker is now considered a near-certainty.

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