Rangers have been dealt an apparent transfer blow after Lee Bowyer confirmed that Charlton have accepted bids from three Championship clubs for Alfie Doughty [Stoke Sentinel].
The Gers have been regularly linked with Doughty in recent times, with the Herald claiming earlier this week that both Rangers and Celtic had submitted pre-contract offers, while Stoke were moving to sign the player immediately.
Stoke boss Michael O’Neill has since confirmed that his club have made an offer and based on an update provided by Bowyer on Saturday, it is one of several that have been accepted for the in-demand 21-year-old.
“There are three Championship sides that we have agreed terms with,” said the Charlton boss [Stoke Sentinel]. “I expect Alfie will speak to all three of them. I think he should.”
“I expect him to be gone in the near future – I don’t know how soon. I think it’s now down to the three clubs, Alfie, his family and his agent getting together and seeing which one he prefers.
“That might take a little time, that, but I expect him to be going.”
It’s unclear as yet who the other two Championship clubs are, but as far as Bowyer is concerned, a pre-contract deal clearly isn’t an option and therefore, neither Old Firm club is genuinely in the race to sign his player.
Doughty hasn’t featured for the Addicks since picking up an injury in a League One fixture against Northampton Town in October, but the versatile operator, who can play at left-back or on the wing, impressed in the Championship last season and in the early stages of this campaign.
Rangers currently have two options at left-back in Borna Barisic and Calvin Bassey, while Ryan Kent is the first-choice left-sided attacking player at Ibrox.
With both Barisic and Kent likely to be the subject of considerable transfer interest in the summer, it’s thought that Doughty was being lined up to boost options on that side of the pitch ahead of next season.
Rangers are in action against Aberdeen on Sunday afternoon and recent glowing praise from Steven Gerrard suggests that a mercurial performer will be handed a start at Pittodrie.
