Credit: Imago

Jacob Raw

Tue 26 May 2026 15:06, UK

Rangers need to act fast to ensure that they sign Pierce Charles as soon as possible, with Manchester City now keen for his services.

Gers are in desperate need of a new goalkeeper this summer, and Danny Rohl seems keen on reuniting with Sheffield Wednesday’s Charles.

The shot-stopper has now been relegated to League One from the Championship with the Owls, but was arguably their player of the campaign, despite being injured for a chunk of it.

According to talkSPORT, Man City are exploring the opportunity to re-sign their former academy star, in preparation for James Trafford’s exit this summer.

Rangers could make the signing of the summer with Charles, but they can’t afford to let the keeper go too far into negotiations with Man City before it’s too late.

Rangers can offer Pierce Charles something Man City cannot

Man City re-signed academy graduate Trafford from Burnley last summer, only for them to go and add Gianluigi Donnarumma to their ranks weeks later.

This left the Englishman upset, as he thought that he would finally get to have his chance of being City’s number one choice between the sticks, hence why his exit is now expected this summer.

Charles would almost certainly struggle for minutes at the Etihad Stadium next campaign, not because of his quality, but more the world-class competition in front of him.

It’s unlikely that the 20-year-old would get minutes in the Premier League, but that is something that Gers can give him at Ibrox.

He’s a modern-day shot-stopper and possesses some of the best ability in the EFL with the ball at his feet, as his reflexes prove why the Bears are in for him.

If Rangers were to sign Charles, they could have an increased chance of signing his brother Shea, too.

But in order for any of this to happen, they must turn their full focus to landing the Owls’ number one, above any other transfers.

Rangers can’t go another season with Jack Butland

The bottom line is that Rangers simply cannot spend another season with Jack Butland in between the sticks.

Though he didn’t single-handedly cost the Bears the title, it’s hard to argue against the fact that they would’ve had a better chance of winning the league if they had a competent goalkeeper instead.

Charles has major groom for growth potential and is already a cemented starter for his national team, Northern Ireland.

Though Man City can offer him more money, Charles will be after game time at this stage in his career, and that’s why the 49ers must push on to prevent him from getting stolen from right underneath them.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.