Rangers’ hopes of signing Leicester City defender Harry Souttar on loan may well hinge on the future of Manchester City talent Taylor Harwood Bellis.
This comes amid reports in the Athletic that former Citizens coach Enzo Maresca – now in charge of the Foxes – wants to add the England U21 skipper to his squad this season.
Taylor Harwood Bellis wore the captain’s armband as the Young Lions lifted the U21 European Championships this summer after helping Burnley to promotion last season.
As Leicester City look to bounce back to the Premier League following their relegation, the 21-year-old centre-back is viewed as the perfect option to help boost their charge.
But whilst it isn’t explicitly said so, the situation surrounding Taylor Harwood Bellis threatens to have a huge bearing on Rangers’ interest in Harry Souttar.
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Could future of Taylor Harwood Bellis be key to Rangers Harry Souttar deal?
There’s been much conjecture surrounding the Ibrox club’s interest in the Australian international centre-back but the latest suggests that the reports are legitimate.
However, leading Rangers fan media partners Heart & Hand have claimed that the Ibrox side are only interested in a loan deal and that is backed up in the Athletic.
The report has also claimed that a move is certainly not dead with Rangers still keen on Harry Souttar and Leicester waiting until the deadline to make an ultimate decision on the situation.
Given they paid a reported £15m for the defender only six months ago you’ll forgive them for trying to source the best deal.
But with Premier League promotion the club’s ultimate focus this season, should Enzo Maresca get in-demand Manchester City talent Taylor Harwood Bellis then there may be a bigger picture.
No one wants an expensive and disgruntled player floating around the club when they’re not going to play and if Rangers are the best option, perhaps a deal for the Man City talent can usher through a move.
But before that can happen, reports have also suggested that one first-team Rangers star might have to also be moved on first.