According to a report in the Northern Echo, as cited by the Crawley Observer, Stewart Downing could turn down the chance to come to Rangers.
The 35-cap England international is said to be a target for his former international and Liverpool teammate, Steven Gerrard.
Downing is currently with Middlesbrough. He’s stuck in a bizarre situation, though, where starting another Championship fixture would automatically trigger a contract extension.
The club doesn’t want that to happen and therefore, he’s being used exclusively from the bench.
As a result, there’s almost no chance of him staying at the Riverside beyond the summer.
However, he wants to stay as close to his family as possible.
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That, according to the report, puts League One high-flyers, Sunderland, in pole position.
Verdict
This could prove to be good news for Rangers.
Downing has bags of experience with over 400 Premier League appearances.
However, he’s turning 35 this summer and is surely well past his best.
Rangers do need an injection of quality in the final third, but that can’t be at the expense of legs.
Gerrard knows Downing well and might see this as a blow. Yet, Rangers can and must do better.
