If it wasn’t clear already, Tuesday’s announcement that Filip Helander would be leaving Rangers on a free transfer all-but confirmed that a new, left-sided centre-half would be one of Mick Beale’s top targets during the upcoming summer window.
Auston Trusty and Jonathan Panzo are allegedly both targets. William Pacho was another name reportedly on Rangers’ radar, although the former Antwerp defender is no longer an active concern after sealing a £14 million move to Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt.
But as Kean Bryan suffered the same fate as Helander in midweek – West Brom announcing that he too will become a free-agent in a matter of weeks – the Manchester-born 26-year-old may be another name to keep an eye on ahead of what is already shaping up to be a hectic couple of months at Ibrox.
Could Rangers go back for Kean Bryan after West Brom exit?
Bryan, after all, was a Rangers target during Beale’s first spell in Glasgow, when he was operating as Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox assistant.
Rangers came within touching distance of snapping up the one-time Manchester City youngster in a deal worth around £2.5 million back in 2018; eventually getting cold feet after Bryan underwent a medical (Scottish Sun).
Five years on, concerns over his fitness are likely to remain the biggest obstacle standing in Bryan’s way as he pursues a fresh start following a season ruined by a cruciate ligament rupture.
Any potential suitors will now have to weigh up whether that worrying injury record can be sufficiently offset by the former England U20 international’s free-agent status.
Bryan will obviously come cheaper than Panzo – who could yet seal promotion to the Premier League with Coventry City – and the £2 million-rated Trusty.
And the age of 26, the former Sheffield United man – who once scored a famous goal in a 2-1 win at Old Trafford – still has plenty of time on his side. The impressive passing range he honed at Manchester City is also likely to appeal to a possession-based coach in Beale.
Few would blame Rangers for overlooking Bryan in favour of a younger, fitter option. But with the Gers scouring the market for bargains – Dujon Sterling, Jack Butland and Kieran Dowell potentially arriving on free transfers – Bryan may still be a punt worth considering.