Rangers are interested in bringing James Trafford to Ibrox but Manchester City may have big plans in mind for the goalkeeper.
Saturday’s narrow 2-1 win over Ross County gave Michael Beale another win, but again highlighted goalkeeping problems for the Gers.
Jon McLaughlin came in for Allan McGregor between the sticks but was beaten by Jordan White for Ross County’s leveller.
McGregor is now 41 and McGregor hasn’t proven that he can be Rangers’ first-choice goalkeeper moving forward.
Rangers simply have to find their goalkeeper of the future and Trafford emerged as a target in January.
The Daily Mail reported in December that Rangers were showing a keen interest in signing in Trafford.
The Manchester City stopper is currently on loan at English League One side Bolton Wanderers and has caught the eye of Rangers scouts.
A deal in January wasn’t possible but Rangers may well be eyeing Trafford for a summer move to Glasgow.
The 20-year-old was previously on the books at Carlisle United before heading to Manchester City in 2015.
After spending the first half of last season at Accrington Stanley, Trafford spent the second half with Bolton and has stayed with the Trotters for this season too.
A 6ft 6in stopper, Trafford has been earning rave reviews at Bolton and securing him as a long-term stopper should be appealing to Rangers.
However, City may have plans for Trafford moving into next season.
Bolton boss Ian Evatt has told The Bolton News that he understands Trafford will actually serve as City’s second-choice goalkeeper next season.
Evatt claims Bolton are already looking for a new goalkeeper to replace Trafford, seemingly accepting that another loan won’t be happening.
“It’s definitely on our agenda, myself and Chris (Markham) are already looking ahead to the next window – we always look one in advance – and we know in the goalkeeping department that we can’t guarantee we will get James again next season,” said Evatt.
“We don’t know what division we are going to be in, number one, but we also don’t know what Manchester City’s plans are, although I understand that next season James will be number two at Manchester City, so we have plans in place to recruit and sign a new goalkeeper in the next window,” he added.
It would be a surprise to see Trafford overtake Stefan Ortega to serve as backup to Ederson, but if that really is the plan then Rangers will have little hope of a summer deal.
