Rangers’ Old Firm rivals Celtic have reportedly joined the race for Preston midfielder Daniel Johnson ahead of the transfer window slamming shut tomorrow.
That’s according to Daily Mirror journalist Jonny Hulme, who believes our Parkhead rivals are set to motion for the Jamaican midfielder as a deal with Rangers stalls.
According to Hulme, any prospective move for 27-year-old midfielder Johnson has been stuttering due to an issue with payments between Ibrox and Deepdale.
Hulme believes Rangers have offered terms on a structured deal and that Preston are “having none of it”.
Johnson has been out of the Preston first-team due to a groin injury in recent weeks but was the subject of intense transfer speculation earlier in the window.
Claims the player had agreed to join Rangers were rebuffed by Preston who are believed to be holding out for around £3m for their player of the year from last season.
Johnson has eight months to run on his current deal but it may well not be financially worth Preston’s while to sacrifice a potential shot at the Championship playoffs by selling the player.
Former Rangers striker Andy Little is an ex-teammate of Johnson’s at Preston and has told the press that contacts down south have told him the player wants to move to Ibrox.
“He’s a Steven Gerrard type of player. He’s very gifted, a good athlete and at a great point in his career,” said Little [Scottish Sun].
“You look at his most notable recent signings – Hagi, Kent, Aribo – Johnson comes into the category and I have no doubt he came make an impact.
“I’ve heard that he’s keen to go to Rangers through my contacts down there so I think that’s very important.
“Getting the chance to go to Ibrox doesn’t happen every day of the week and I feel he will handle playing for Rangers.”