As Rangers announced the signing of John Lundstram perhaps the significance of the transfer was underplayed.
After all, this was the Ibrox club beating off competition from the English top-flight to sign a 27-year-old midfielder who is just entering his prime.
By the end of Lundstram’s three-year deal, he will be a 30-year-old man.
Lundstram has scored goals in the Premier League and brings a boisterousness, bullishness and technical ability to our midfield that has proved successful at the highest level.
Given John was out of contract, ready for a change and that he comes from the same place as idol Steven Gerrard, this on paper looks a no brainer.
But whilst Lundstram’s ability and the bargain basement nature of the deal is attractive, the Englishman’s capture is more significant given his status down south and the fact Rangers beat off lucrative competition to snare him.
It’s not like Fashion Sakala – for whom the Gers beat off Newcastle United and West Ham to sign the summer – given the Zambian has never played in English football.
For the first time in a long time, Rangers flexed their muscles to win over an established British player against the megabucks of the Premier League.
It’s a landmark move and a statement of intent.
Champions League football looms, the promise of trophies is high, and there is a multi-talented, competitive squad with an elite coaching staff who will help players get better.
Money remains the biggest obstacle to convincing these sorts of players to choose Ibrox over the Premier League but in this case the club’s ambitions have struck a chord with John.
That’s despite reports this week that Sheffield United wanted to make Lundstram amongst their highest earners and that they offered a deal as such.
According to the Sheffield Star, Lundstram was offered a “huge deal” to stay which would’ve “put him among the top four or five biggest earners there.”
Despite their relegation, this would’ve represented a tidy amount to the ex-Everton youth and one leading Sheffield United commentator has told Rangers News this was believed to be around £30k per week.
“(Chris) Wilder said at the time that it (the new deal) would have made him one of the top earners, so circa 30k-a-week they reckon, but he said no,” explained Lee Connor of Sheffield United News.
If anything – and despite Blades fan grumbles – United’s willingness to part with such money proves the calibre of player the Gers are getting in John.
But the fact Lundstram chose Ibrox over the indulgent riches of English football says something firstly about his character, but, more importantly for Rangers fans, something significant about the club’s returning muscle.
Read more about what Lee Connor had to say regarding Lundstram and what Rangers fans can expect next season.
