Rangers-linked Hearts defender John Souttar is just days away from being free to agree a pre-contract deal with over ten clubs interested in his signature, according to the Scottish Sun.
Rangers were credited with interest in Souttar as recently as last week [Daily Mail [17/11/21, print edition p.78]] and Robbie Neilson then admitted that the Jambos would consider selling him in January, if he didn’t agree a contract extension, to avoid losing him for free in the summer.
Souttar has been a near ever-present for Hearts this season and even scored the opening goal for Scotland in a win over Denmark earlier this month, and it’s previously been suggested that just £500k would be enough to snap him up in the winter window.
The Scottish Sun looks to be suggesting that a pre-contract deal could be the preferred option for those keen on the 25-year-old, though, and they assert that it’s only a matter of days before he can begin negotiating with other clubs.
1 December is said to be the magic date but it’s been made very clear that Rangers face stiff competition to land him.
Celtic and as many as nine EFL Championship clubs are also credited with interest.
Rangers-linked Souttar free to negotiate in days
After Sunday’s dreadful performance against Hibs in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden, plenty of fans will be urging Rangers to bring in defensive reinforcements in January.
However, the club have shown a fondness for the pre-contract route in the recent past and their defensive resources could be boosted anyway in January by the return of Filip Helander from injury and a possible recall for Niko Katic.
Given that the links began well before Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s appointment, it remains to be seen what the new Gers manager thinks of Souttar.
He does look to be a good option, but it’s clear that if Rangers do want to sign him, they’ll have to put up an attractive proposal to the player amid the considerable interest in his services.
Meanwhile, Roy Makaay has sent a message on Instagram after joining the Rangers coaching staff.