Peterborough United chairman Barry Fry has his doubts about whether Rangers can really afford to sign the ‘exceptional’ Ronnie Edwards amid interest from a number of Premier League clubs.
Speaking on his Hard Truth podcast after the BBC Sport linked West Ham United and AFC Bournemouth with the England U20 international, Peterborough owner Darragh MacAnthony claimed that three as-yet unnamed ‘Premier League clubs’ would stump up offers before the window closes at the start of September.
In the face of such competition – and with Posh valuing Ronnie Edwards at around £15 million back in 2022 – it is difficult to imagine Rangers winning the race for a player who has been the subject of interest from, amongst others, Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle United.
Rangers may struggle to afford Ronnie Edwards
“Rangers have been to a lot of our games. But I have not spoken to anyone directly from the club,” Fry tells the Daily Record.
“That means nothing. They could be watching the opposition or some other player. There have been some suggestions they are going to bid for him but they haven’t bid for him yet. I’m not even sure if they have the money to bid for him.”
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Fry is under no illusions that Edwards – a ‘Rolls Royce’ of a centre-half – will say farewell sooner rather than later. Rangers boss Mick Beale has admitted that he would welcome another defensive addition this summer, though Millwall’s Jake Cooper feels like a more realistic option with his contract expiring in 2024.
“Ronnie is an exceptional player, and he will go,” Fry adds. “He’s only 20, and he has played 19 times for England U19s and U20s.
“He is the only player outside of the English Premier League in either of those two squads. He was part of the U19 European Championship-winning team, played all four games at the World Cup at U20 level.
“We’ve had plenty of interest. We have turned down a few bids from Premier League clubs because they haven’t been big enough. We are in no rush to sell him. He has two years left (on his contract) plus an option (to extend).
“We won’t stand in anyone’s way if the offer is right. But, so far none, of the offers have been right.”