Rangers-linked Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour has signed a new deal at Stamford Bridge as the Premier League side activate an extension to his contract.
The 21-year-old Scotland international came through at Rangers as a youth and such is his connection to the club links between the two parties continue almost by the window.
Only as far back as April was Billy Gilmour once again being linked to an Ibrox loan move as the Chelsea star looks ahead to the new campaign.
Now, Gilmour has extended his contract with Chelsea until 2024, meaning the Stamford Bridge club have strengthened their position when it comes to the midfielder.
With two years left to run on his contract, the Premier League side are no longer under pressure to cash in by finding a more permanent home for Billy this summer.
Rangers-linked Billy Gilmour signs new Chelsea deal
Handed a Chelsea debut by Stamford Bridge legend Frank Lampard in August 2019, there have been links suggesting a Goodison Park reunion with the ex-England international and now Everton boss could be on the cards.
Having spent last season on loan with Norwich City, a disappointing spell for a number of reasons, Billy Gilmour is being tipped to leave Chelsea on loan again this window.
Interestingly, leading Rangers insiders and fan media Heart & Hand have poured cold water on the suggestion that this could be towards Ibrox.
“There has been a lot of chat about Billy Gilmour potentially coming to Rangers on loan,” claims David Edgar, speaking on the Heart & Hand Daily Update [24/05/22].
“Well I can tell you that it’s not something like you may have seen on social media, things saying ‘done deal’, there’s absolutely no truth in that.
“I know his family quite closely down here in Ayrshire, and trust me, they’d be keen to tell us if that was the case.
“He’ll return to Chelsea after his loan with Norwich City and if Thomas Tuchel can’t offer him more game time the likelihood is he will head out permanently.
“He doesn’t really want to do another loan if he’s got no chance of making it at Chelsea.
“I think the fee would be prohibitive for Rangers if we were going to go in for him and that’s over and above whether the player wanted to come back to Scotland or wanted to stay in the EPL where he does have offers.”
In total, Billy Gilmour has made 22 appearances for Chelsea since first breaking through into the first team three years ago.
Meanwhile, here are five potential goalkeeper alternatives should Allan McGregor hang up his gloves.