Preston North End manager Alex Neil has provided an update on Rangers linked attacking midfielder Daniel Johnson [Lancs Live].
The Gers were first linked with Johnson during the summer transfer window when they reportedly saw a £1.5m bid rejected by the Championship club [Lancs Live].
The Daily Record reported in November that the Gers were still interested, with a pre-contract swoop an option given that Johnson’s current deal at Deepdale expires in the summer.
However, while young Bournemouth midfielder Nnamdi Ofoborh has reportedly agreed a pre-contract deal with Rangers [Daily Record], there’s been no movement on Johnson and Neil believes he could hold onto his man.
“Yeah, of course, we are (hopeful),” he said after Preston’s 0-0 draw with Reading on Sunday [Lancs Live]. “We want Daniel to stay and I think Daniel does want to stay.”
“It’s just really a case of getting bits and pieces done.”
Of all the midfielders Rangers have been linked with in recent times, Johnson provides the most threat in the final third by some distance.
The 28-year-old Jamaica international’s season has been disrupted by injury but he’s still managed four goals and three assists in all competitions following a very impressive return of 12 goals and eight assists across the 2019/20 Championship campaign.
With numbers like those, it’s no wonder that Preston want to keep him.
It would be a surprise if he turned down the opportunity to compete for titles and play European football with the Gers in order to stay at Deepdale.
Therefore, perhaps there’s no longer an offer on the table from Rangers and that’s why Johnson is considering signing an extension.
Rangers have been linked to multiple midfielders in recent times but one is currently out of action after testing positive for Covid-19.
