Rangers could pounce on ‘bargain’ Elias Jelert deal as Southampton face legal player dispute concerns
Rangers may swoop to steal Southampton star Elias Jelert from underneath their nose this summer as the Saints face major concerns behind the scenes.
The Bears are in need of a new right-back this summer after James Tavernier announced he will end his long Ibrox stay.
Dujon Sterling is a natural option, but given that Andrew Cavenagh wants to back Danny Rohl with “significant” changes this summer, an upgrade on the position is needed.
Southampton signed Jelert on loan with an obligation to buy this summer for a reported £8.5million, but after being found guilty of the latest Spygate scandal between themselves and Middlesbrough, Gers could pounce.
Rangers are searching for a new right-back, and the best value for money target may have been brought to the attention of Stig Igne Bjornebye.
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Rangers could seal ‘bargain’ Elias Jelert deal amid Southampton crisis
Jelert has been called a “bargain” for Rangers to target, as doubts over whether the Saints would buy him this summer have taken a dramatic twist.
Following Southampton’s exclusion from the EFL Championship play-offs for spying on Boro before their semi-final clash, players of the South Coast side are threatening to rip up their contracts.
| Elias Jelert in Championship | Stats |
| Games (starts) | 8 (3) |
| Assists | 1 |
| Pass success | 84% |
| Duels won | 40.7% |
| Cross accuracy | 31.2% |
Given that the Saints are in a position where they may have to “rebuild” from scratch, as admitted by club chairman Phil Parsons after a failed appeal against the EFL, they are in no position to sign Jelert for a whopping £8.5m.
The Dane is currently on loan from Turkish giants Galatasaray, but after struggling since moving from FC Copenhagen, Ibrox could offer him a new home.
Jelert has been injured for most of the season for the Saints, hence why Gers could get him on the cheap from his parent club this summer.
However, now that the dust has settled on Southampton’s fate this season, supporters are already mourning the inevitable loss of Jelert, as they saw the potential of the 22-year-old loanee.
Rangers could steal another Southampton player
While Jelert doesn’t look likely to be signing on as a Southampton player permanently this summer, the Saints have players of their own that Rangers can target.
One that has been linked with a move to the Light Blues in recent weeks is Shea Charles, who scored a 116th-minute winner in the Play-off semi-final against Boro, before their expulsion from the competition.
Charles also scored a winner in Southampton’s 2-1 quarter-final win in the FA Cup against the now Premier League champions, Arsenal.
The Northern Irishman has a brother who the Gers are also keen on in Pierce Charles, a goalkeeper for Sheffield Wednesday.
The brothers would be welcome additions in Glasgow and deserve a move to Rangers amid ongoing concerns at both their respective clubs.
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