Rangers have to quadruple transfer bid to seal signing Lee Hendrie is raving about
Rangers made 14 signings in the summer transfer window in a bid to create a team that could challenge for the Scottish Premiership.
Rangers spent £22.3million in the summer transfer window, with Russell Martin looking to improve his squad for his first season in charge.
Rangers have started the season miserably, as they sit 11th in the Scottish Premiership after five matches.
Kevin Thelwell has come under scrutiny already, with the signings of Youssef Chermiti and Emmanuel Fernandez questioned by fans.
However, a new valuation has been set for a transfer target that has also been linked with West Ham.
Promising goalkeeper Pierce Charles valued at £4m
Pierce Charles was linked with Rangers over the summer, with the Bears putting in a bid of over £1m for the 20-year-old goalkeeper.
Charles was also rumoured to be joining West Ham, however, due to Sheffield Wednesday’s troubles off the pitch, the club set Charles’ valuation at £4m.
In an article by Glasgow World, EFL pundit and commentator Lee Hendrie spoke about Sheffield Wednesday’s stance regarding Charles.
He said: “He’s a young man, he’s 20 years of age, he’s obviously been in and around the football club for a good few seasons, obviously not stacking up loads of appearances, and he’s injured at the moment.
“But, when you look at his age, you do think that there’s potential there, and I think, listen, if someone wants to pay that sort of money, I’m sure they will do, if they think he’s good enough. Which I do think he is good enough, there’s no doubt of that.”
Charles is currently out with a shoulder injury, but impressive performances for Wednesday and Northern Ireland have earned him interest from West Ham and Rangers.
- Charles has made one clean sheet in 18 appearances for Sheffield Wednesday
- He came through Sheffield Wednesday’s academy
- He is already the first-choice goalkeeper for his country
Whilst some of Rangers’ signings haven’t worked out so far, Charles would be a perfect addition to the club.
Jack Butland has not let Rangers down much in the last two years, yet the club’s hierarchy is clearly looking for a more progressive goalkeeper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet.
In modern times, goalkeepers are now judged on their ball-playing abilities, with the influence of Pep Guardiola having an effect on how younger managers view football.
Whether you agree with that philosophy or not, it’s clear that Martin wants a shot-stopper who he feels comfortable with in possession, and Charles is the ideal candidate who can fill this role.
Pierce Charles signing could help Kevin Thelwell’s reputation at Rangers
Chermiti’s £8m move on deadline day did not endear Thelwell to many Bears’ fans, with supporters furious at how much money was spent on the unproven striker.
Whilst he is also a young talent who hasn’t proven himself on a stage as big as Rangers, Charles certainly stands out in a generation where young goalkeepers are hard to find.
Thelwell is probably public enemy number two in Glasgow at the moment, and with Rangers in desperate need of more reinforcements in January, the addition of Charles would be astute business.
The Light Blues would need to battle West Ham for his signature, but Thelwell could improve his relationship with fans if he can get the deal over the line.
Rangers have consistently gone with older, reliable goalkeepers in the past, with Allan McGregor another consistent performer during his time at Govan.
However, if Rangers are to break that mould, Charles would be the perfect solution.
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