Rangers: Nils Koppen backed to sign John Lundstram replacement despite what Philippe Clement said
Gary Keown has backed Rangers transfer chief Nils Koppen to sign a replacement for John Lundstram during the summer transfer window.
Lundstram is out of contract at Ibrox in a little over two months’ time, but Philippe Clement has made it clear he hopes to retain the midfielder.
Speaking this week, Clement also said “there will be a solution” to talks, suggesting an agreement could be close.
However, journalist Keown has suggested that it might be wiser if Rangers sign another player in the same position instead.
“Lundstram’s services are unlikely to come cheaply,” Keown wrote in his column for the Scottish Mail on Sunday [31 March, page 93].
“And at the age of 30, with no appreciable resale value, is he really the best use of the club’s resources with the considerable pressure on to deliver a proper player-trading model that serves up healthy profits?
“Time will tell. The deal is certainly beginning to carry the look of a fait accompli.
“However, it might be worth recruitment chief Nils Koppen taking a second look through the files just to be sure that there’s not a bloke out there who could do a similar job for a similar outlay – with the possibility of a transfer fee at the end.”
John Lundstram contract situation at Rangers
Lundstram has returned to his best for Rangers this season and has been near enough an ever-present under Clement and predecessor Michael Beale.
Indeed, the 30-year-old’s 28 Scottish Premiership appearances this term – all but one of those as a starter – is bettered only by James Tavernier and Jack Butland (both 30) among Gers players.
Losing a player as important as Lundstram would obviously therefore be a blow, and it is no surprise that the club are eager to tie him down to fresh terms.
Signing a replacement midfielder who can be sold at a profit down the line makes sense on the face of it, but then you have to factor in the player’s transfer fee.
Realistically, are Rangers going to find a like-for-like replacement, or indeed an improvement, for less than £3million?
Tying down Lundstram to fresh terms and bringing in another midfielder to provide competition would be the ideal scenario, but the ball is very much in the player’s court.
In other Rangers news, Michael Beale has reacted to some transfer news involving a player he worked with at Ibrox.
For more Rangers news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.