Report claims two-way transfer race for 48 appearance Gers star, EPL hopefuls join race

19/04/2024 13:30

If you asked most Rangers fans this morning who they wanted to leave the club this summer, Philippe Clement would return to pre-season with hardly any players left.

The list of names has risen from the possible 10 that could leave Ibrox in a summer cull, but the reality is it's just not possible to expect Nils Koppen to overhaul the squad to that extent.

The last Rangers manager seemed to make all the decisions himself, however, Philippe Clement will have some help in deciding who stays and who goes with one big name potentially saving him a job after the latest transfer report.

READ MORE: 6 Rangers players who are out of contract and who could leave Ibrox in summer 2024

Interest hots up for Rangers midfielder John Lundstram

According to Turkish journalist Cagri Aktas for Kuzay Andalou, John Lundstram has once again been in contact with Trabzonspor after it was claimed that the midfielder and Borna Barisic were both targets for the Super Lig outfit.

Premier League hopefuls Ipswich are also said to be eyeing a move for the 30-year old who has two seasons of experience in England’s top flight.

A month ago, Lundstram seemed a dead cert to get a new contract, however, his recent form has been a representation of the team in that it has fallen off a cliff.

As one of the main members of the leadership group – he's worn the armband for Rangers this season – questions need to be asked of what his role is and why he is bringing to the team now.

Rangers need a midfielder capable of dictating the tempo of a game, especially against teams who sit in and counter attack.

Against Dundee, it was Connor Goldson and John Souttar who were starting attacks and bringing the ball out of defence while Lundstram covered them.

What's the point of that?

Lundstram has been value for money in terms of availability, but we can't have such a key position being filled by someone so inconsistent and who has never played as a number six until recently.

Not that long ago Philippe Clement spoke about the players who were out of contract in the summer and suggested that an announcement could be imminent on a new Rangers deal for John Lundstram.

“No [developments] otherwise you guys would know.

“I’m totally confident on that because there is a lot of love on both sides so then there will be a solution.”

It’s time to let Lundstram go and head off in a new direction

I wonder if the ink is dry on that contract yet.

When it comes to recruitment it has to have one aim in accordance with our player trading model.

Is the player in question better than what Celtic have in the same position and would they get in their team?

For Lundstram, even his staunchest backers would struggle to form an argument in his defence here.

To beat them, we need better than them.

If Trabzonspor or Ipswich want him, we shouldn't put up too much of a fight to persuade him otherwise.