Rangers have the chance to sign a wonderkid after the catastrophic collapse of the Premier League.
Since Reuell Walters was formally released by Arsenal, Rangers now have the chance to move to sign him.
Although the youthful right-back had been in talks for a new contract when several other players were permitted to leave, the club acknowledged on July 1st that he had left [Standard, 3 June].
Although the Daily Record stated on June 4 that the club will not seek to add anyone at the position unless they dispose one first, there is interest in the 19-year-old at Ibrox.
But with interest from Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq [Daily Record, 24 April] and Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Besiktas [Bulent Uzlu, 9 June] this summer, there has been growing conjecture that veteran starter and record-breaking club captain James Tavernier would depart.
Rangers can sign Reuell Walters following Arsenal’s departure.
It is now clear to recruit his young colleague Walters on a free transfer if the seasoned Englishman does decide to leave, but a compensation sum would be anticipated.
It comes as a bit of a surprise that the adolescent is now free, with The Sun calling the release of the “wonderkid” a “shock” decision as soon as word leaked out on July 1.
Right-back Dujon Sterling is projected to be replaced by a former free agent who signed with a major Premier League team headquartered in London [Rangers Review, June 17].
James Tavernier may depart Ibrox this summer, but the former Chelsea player has already shown Philippe Clement how valuable he is in a variety of roles during his first term in Glasgow, so he may be called upon to play elsewhere.Going forward without cover would be risky, but Tavernier is one of the few players who has not been impacted by the seemingly endless injury issues at Ibrox in recent years, making meaningful backup essentially meaningless.
Although an agreement with the club has not yet materialized, it has already been reported [The Gallant Few, June 19] that the Gers captain has signed terms on a Saudi Pro League exit.
If it happens, though, the Light Blues now have the opportunity to sign a young, skilled replacement option at a low cost, adding him to the group of players who has arrived this summer that meet that description, including Jefte, Clinton Nsiala, Connor Barron, and Oscar Cortes.