Rangers now have an excellent chance to sign Jack Butland on a free transfer as a rumour emerges from Crystal Palace.
What’s the story?
Well – according to the Scottish Sun – Rangers wanted to sign the England international back in 2022.
Alan Nixon added that Crystal Palace had even given Butland permission to join the Scottish giants before a broken finger in pre-season ruled him out for two months, scuppering any chance of an exit.
Now – however – the £1m man is set to become a free agent.
The Athletic believe Crystal Palace are satisfied with Vicente Guaita, Sam Johnstone and Jack Whitworth as their goalkeeping options going into the 2023/24 campaign.
Therefore, Butland – who was loaned out to Manchester United in January – is unlikely to be offered a new contract, with his current terms set to expire in July.
That means Rangers now have a golden opportunity to sign the 30-year-old for free, which would be quite a coup given his pedigree.
Rangers have to sign Butland
In our view, this opportunity is too good for Rangers to squander.
Allan McGregor – now 41 years of age – simply has to be replaced this summer, and there are few better options out there, both financially and from a footballing perspective, than Butland.
The Bristol-born glovesman boasts nine England caps to his name, and also has an impressive record in the Premier League with 21 clean sheets in 87 appearances.
Butland – who Joe Hart once told the Daily Mail is a “great” goalkeeper – is surely the standout choice for Michael Beale now.
The Sun believe there is interest in signing Angus Gunn from Norwich.
However, Norwich are said to be demanding £10m for the Scotland international.
Therefore, Butland must now become the No.1 target for Rangers as they look to replace McGregor in between the sticks.
