Formerly Rangers-linked Iran international Milad Mohammadi is now available for nothing but Nottingham Forest, West Brom and Watford are all tracking him, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.
The Gers were first linked with Mohammadi – who is a left-back or left-winger – in 2018 during his time in Russia with Akhmat Grozny [Scottish Sun].
He would eventually move to Jupiler Pro League club Gent on a free transfer in July 2019, but the Gers were credited with interest again last summer.
Het Nieuwsblad claimed that Rangers and Leeds United were both keen on the 27-year-old, who was valued at £6m (€7m).
However, no move materialised, with Calvin Bassey the Gers’ only left-back recruit during that particular window.
Mohammadi made 41 appearances for Gent across all competitions last season but O’Rourke asserts that the Belgian side now want him off the wage bill and aren’t looking for a transfer fee to let him go.
This development is said to have alerted Forest, West Brom and Watford, who are all considering a swoop.
Rangers have dipped into the Belgian market on several occasions in recent windows, bringing in Kemar Roofe from Anderlecht and Ianis Hagi from Genk.
Previous reports suggest there was interest from the Gers in Mohammadi and the lack of a transfer fee significantly reduces the financial risk in a potential swoop for an experienced player who is still a good age.
Premier League Watford will no doubt be a particularly attractive option for the player, though, and Steven Gerrard may well already be content with his options on the left.
In Borna Barisic and Bassey, he has two senior left-backs, while there’s an option to recall James Maxwell from his loan spell at Ayr United in January.
Meanwhile, Ryan Kent is a near-guaranteed starter in the left-sided attacking role, with the likes of Scott Wright, Brandon Barker and Ianis Hagi all also capable of playing there when required.
In other transfer news, a ‘strong’ and ‘athletic’ player released by Rangers in June has joined a Europa League club.