How John Souttar could hold key to next Rangers transfer already

John Souttar could help Rangers land their next signing in the winter window.

The centre-back has been frozen out of the squad by Derek McInnes and has not featured in a single matchday this season.

The 30-year-old was not involved with the Gers this pre-season, with the club making him available for transfer.

Sheffield United and other UK clubs were said to be interested in Souttar, who also had the chance to leave Govan after the window closed.

The defender had an offer to join Cyprus League side Aris Limassol in September, but demanded compensation from the Gers to leave.

Souttar will most likely have more opportunities to leave Rangers in the winter, and it could have a direct impact on the first new face who could walk through the doors at Auchenhowie.

How John Souttar is key for next Rangers transfer

Souttar demanded a six-figure compensation fee from Rangers to leave and join Aris.

He reportedly refused to leave on loan or permanently without having his contract at Ibrox paid off, which caused big issues for his expected exit.

McInnes has settled on Emmanuel Fernandez and Olwethu Makhanya as his trusted centre-back pairing, though depth in the position is an issue.

Casper Widell has revealed he was in talks with Rangers in the summer, and a move was still on even after Danny Rohl left the club.

However, the Excelsior star revealed that Souttar was the reason why the 49ers couldn't sanction a move, as the Scot needed to leave Ibrox first to make way for a new addition.

The Gers will work hard to find a solution for Souttar ahead of the January window, and if he does leave, Widell could finally come in as his direct replacement, offering more depth and quality at centre-back.

How Rangers can now get Widell at cut-price deal

Widell was reportedly "set" on joining Rangers, or the other option was to stay in the Netherlands another year and see what happens.

Clubs in the Bundesliga, Belgium and the English Championship, including Derby County and Blackburn Rovers, were all keen on the 23-year-old.

The Swedish centre-back revealed that he had talks over "money moves" after a princess in Dubai was calling his agent, but turned the lucrative offer down after telling his representative that salary was not his only motivation.

Widell is under contract until the summer of 2027, and therefore it would have been optimal for Excelsior to have sold him earlier this year.

However, he will only have six months left on his deal in January, as Rangers could offer his club a cut-price sum that would at least leave the Dutch side with something, instead of letting him leave for nothing later on in 2027.

This may all depend on Souttar leaving, with the 49ers likely to stick to their stance before bringing another centre-back to Govan.