Rangers ‘flirted with idea’ of signing Premier League-winning midfielder in last-gasp deal
Rangers were said to have considered an offer to sign a Manchester City midfielder.
Ryan Naderi put pen to paper on his move to Ibrox on deadline day, becoming the fourth and last arrival for Rangers in what was a hectic winter transfer window.
The Light Blues needed to reinforce their squad with fresh quality to keep up with the pace of the Scottish Premiership title race, and they managed to do just that.
However, the Gers failed to sign that additional midfielder that they were so often linked with, and it has now been revealed who they were considering to make a swoop for.
Kalvin Phillips could have made late move to Ibrox
Rangers were keen on signing Dan Neil from Sunderland throughout January, though the loan situation on Wearside made a deal difficult.
The Black Cats already had six players out on loan to foreign clubs, and Scotland also falls under that bracket, meaning it would have required a permanent deal.
Instead, the 24-year-old joined Ipswich on loan for the rest of the season and will be a free agent in the summer.
As a result, the Gers did consider other options for midfield depth, with a report from the Daily Mail stating that Rangers “flirted with the idea” of signing Kalvin Phillips.
The 30-year-old has won the Premier League with Man City, but his role in that success was minimal at best.
Phillips ended up joining Sheffield United on loan for the rest of the campaign, having had no access to minutes under Pep Guardiola this season.
Rangers could revisit Kalvin Phillips deal in summer
Given the time in the window, it was likely too difficult for Rangers to secure a deal for Phillips at Ibrox, but the summer could present a new opportunity.
The 30-year-old still has two years left on his deal at the Etihad, but should he showcase his worth in the Championship this season, Man City may look to move him on in the summer before his value plummets further.
Philipps joined Man City for a reported £42million back in 2022, but has made just 32 appearances for the club since then.
His experience would be a welcome addition for Rangers, but only if he can prove his fitness and quality for the next six months at Bramall Lane.
Stay up to date this winter with our Rangers transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at Ibrox, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.