Rangers contemplating deal to capture “terrific” England youth international
After all but losing the Scottish Premiership title to Old Firm rivals Celtic, Rangers are said to have turned their attention to the future and signed a Championship gem for Philippe Clement. Rangers Transfer News This summer will be a time of transition at Ibrox, with several players departing. Ryan Jack, Borna Barisic, John Lundstram, and Leon Balogun, among others, are all expected to leave when their current contracts expire at the end of the season.
Lundstram, in particular, seemed like quite the blow after failed negotiations over a new deal with Rangers, but his nightmare performance in the Gers’ recent derby defeat has since eased that blow.
Those exits will at least pave the way for fresh faces, however, with permanent deals for both Oscar Cortes and Abdallah Sima reportedly being targeted by those at Ibrox. Meanwhile, away from the loanees, the Gers could land a future star.
According to the Daily Mail, Rangers are eyeing a move to sign Souleymane Sidibe from Stoke City this summer alongside interest from AC Milan and Chelsea. The 17-year-old has impressed in the Championship this season, even breaking records by becoming the first player born in 2007 to feature in either the Premier League or the Championship.
A central midfielder and England Under-17 international, Sidibe could be the long-term replacement for Lundstram that Rangers need, especially given that top-flight football runs in his family. The teenager’s father – Mamady Sidibe – played in the Premier League with Stoke, as well as featuring in the Championship. Now looking to follow in his father’s footsteps, Sidibe could get his first taste of top-flight football away from the Potters this summer.
Rangers will face a tough battle to persuade Sidibe to join them over Chelsea and AC Milan, but they will be aiming to capitalise on the midfielder’s desire for minutes at such a young age, before he considers his career options. Sidibe, who made four Championship appearances for Stoke this season, is only 17 years old and has plenty more to offer. Former Stoke manager Alex Neil stated BBC Radio Stoke after giving the youngster his senior debut against West Bromwich Albion: “I think his performance justified why he’s been with the first team all preseason.
“I had no concerns about him. He’s a great skill, but he’s also very mature for his age. He did exactly what I anticipated him to do: he performed admirably, and he played in a Stoke squad that won the game and for the majority of it. I believe that most 16-year-old athletes can only dream of doing something like that.
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