Rangers are now “highly unlikely” to make take up the option-to-buy on NYCFC loan star James Sands as he struggles to leave an impression at Ibrox.
The versatile defensive midfielder has often been used at centre-back across his 18-month loan stint and the 22-year-old is now “expected” to return to the USA in the summer.
At least that’s according to the Daily Record, who suggest that Rangers won’t be stumping up the £4m that it will take to make the deal permanent.
Highly-rated in the USA, Rangers are said to have beaten several Bundesliga options to the loan signing of James Sands but over the last year-and-a-half he has struggled to make an impact on the side.
James Sands transfer demands unjustifiable for Rangers
Whilst James Sands hasn’t been helped by being played out of position, there are few who can make the case that Rangers can justify £4m for a player who at the minute isn’t more than a squad option.
Perhaps if NYCFC can drop their demands Rangers might look at the James Sands project more closely but for most at Ibrox this is too big a fee for someone who hasn’t established himself as a starter in 18 months.
This is however substantially different to the situation involving Malik Tillman, who is another young USA star on loan at Ibrox.
The Bayern kid has been a superb signing for the club since joining in the summer and with every passing game grows into a role as the club’s main man.
Despite only being 20, and having barely played a full season, Rangers fans and Michael Beale are already adamant they want the kid signed but the same can’t be said of Tillman’s NYCFC counterpart.
James Sands, quite simply, hasn’t done enough during his 18-month loan deal to justify that substantial transfer fee and there’s a feeling Rangers would get more value elsewhere.
Meanwhile, here’s the latest on Allan McGregor.
