Dan Neil is set to join Rangers as a free agent following his exit from Sunderland, according to Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie.
The transfer pursuit of Neil has taken a dramatic U-turn. Just days ago, Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie reported that Southampton were in advanced talks to sign the midfielder.
At the time, Wolves and West Ham were also heavily monitoring the situation, leaving many to believe that Rangers had cooled their initial interest or moved on to other priority targets.
However, in a sudden twist, the former Sunderland and Ipswich Town star is now set to finalise a move to Ibrox instead after the entire transfer landscape shifted over a frantic 48 hours.
Arriving as a free agent following the expiry of his contract at the Stadium of Light, Neil will boost Derek McInnes’ options in the centre of the pitch.
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Dan Neil medical underway
The deal is moving at breakneck speed. Downie has exclusively revealed that things changed significantly over the last 48 hours, prompting Rangers to launch their sudden definitive move.
Neil has already been undergoing a medical ahead of a move to Glasgow over the last 24 hours, with the club now working behind the scenes to wrap up the formal paperwork.
An official announcement is expected to follow imminently, capping off a truly breathless piece of recruitment from the Ibrox board.
The 24-year-old represents a massive coup for McInnes. Having captained Sunderland through the gruelling pressure cookers and racked up significant senior experience, his leadership in the middle of the pitch provides an instant tactical upgrade.
Update: At 10:15 am on Wednesday, Rangers officially announced Neil’s signing on a three-year deal.
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Dan Neil set to become fifth Rangers signing
Neil’s signature will see the Englishman become Rangers’ fifth signing of the summer, as they look to kick off a new era under McInnes.
The Andrew Cavenagh-led club made a solid start to the window, roping in Lawrence Shankland from Hearts on a free transfer.
However, Danny Rohl’s sudden move to Red Bull Salzburg and the simultaneous pursuit of McInnes saw the club put their transfer plans on hold.
Cavenagh and Co., though, have sprung straight back into action, finalising four transfers in quick succession.
Within the space of six days, Rangers announced the arrivals of Ross McCrorie, Ben Godfrey and Ivor Pandur.
Meanwhile, Allan McGregor has also sealed an emotional return to Ibrox, with McInnes cherry-picking the legend as his new goalkeeping coach.
