Rangers will have to address an issue at centre-half in the summer transfer window but one former player who has been linked that won’t be under consideration is Jarrad Branthwaite.
The 21-year old Everton defender has been in fine form for Sean Dyche this season in what has been his first full one in the Premier League.
Sometimes, it looks as though Rangers scouting system isn’t doing its job, however, Jarrad Branthwaite’s latest transfer rumour and price tag suggests that it is.
From Rangers target to Man Utd wishlist for Jarrad Branthwaite
It’s not always down to identifying the right player, most of the time it will be down to finances or a manager going in a different direction.
Take Branthwaite as an example.
Steven Gerrard was the manager when scouts were said to have watched the then 17-year old playing for Carlilse United in England’s lower leagues but decided to go with George Edmundson instead.
Ironically, the former Gers centre-half could now be heading to the Premier League too, if Ipswich Town can continue their current form.
Rumoured to be getting a call-up to the next England squad, Jarrad Branthwaite would have been a bargain for Rangers at a similar price to what we paid for Edmundson.
Now though, that fee is significantly higher.
According to Jacque Talbot, Man Utd are said to have Branthwaite high on their list of priorities when the transfer window reopens with the transfer fee a staggering £75m.
A quick reminder that this is his first full season in the Premier League having spent last season on loan at PSV Eindhoven.
This is the type of player we should be signing.
That might seem like an obvious statement to make but getting someone like Branthwaite in when they are 17 rather than 21 or 22 could save a fortune.
The recruitment team at Auchenhowie has shown that it can find players for Gers boss Philippe Clement, but the next step is being brave enough to bring them to Ibrox.
