Rangers are continuing their efforts to strengthen their squad this summer with a Chelsea starlet now said to be on their radar.
Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen have already made nine signings since the opening of the transfer window as they look to shape the first-team squad in their own mould.
The club’s most recent captures were winger Vaclav Cerny and defender Robin Propper who joined on loan from Wolfsburg and permanently from FC Twente respectively.
Now, a tenth addition of the summer could be on the way if Rangers can successfully negotiate the signing of 18-year-old midfielder Leo Castledine.
Rangers pursuing Chelsea’s Leo Castledine
According to Football Scotland reporter Mark Hendry, Rangers have contacted Premier League giants Chelsea over the possibility of recruiting Castledine on loan.
The Ibrox giants reportedly want to strike a loan-to-buy deal with the Londoners in what would represent a sound investment for the future.
But there’s a ‘sticking point’ as per the report. That’s because Chelsea would rather see off Castledine on a straight loan which suggests how highly they rate the youngster.
Negotiations between Rangers and Chelsea are said to be ongoing with Aberdeen and clubs from the EFL Championship keeping an eye on Castledine.
Who is Leo Castledine?
This transfer link seems to have appeared out of the blue, but it’s one Rangers fans will be interested to hear more about.
Castledine, who turns 19 later this month, grew up a Chelsea fan and fulfilled a dream by signing his first professional contract with the Stamford Bridge outfit in August 2022.
This came after a spell in AFC Wimbledon’s academy before Chelsea signed him as an under-15. He is an attacking midfielder and as per the official Chelsea website, Castledine ‘has the ability to play box-to-box, create and score goals and is very tenacious in the tackle.’
Castledine was a permanent fixture in Chelsea’s U21 side during the 2022/23 season where he was also deployed as a centre-back, which is rather unique for an attacking midfielder.
His first taste of being involved with the first-team came in August last year when he was named on the bench for a Carabao Cup clash against Blackburn Rovers.
All in all, Castledine made one appearance in the EFL Cup for Chelsea last campaign and played three times in the EFL Trophy.
But his bread and butter was the Premier League 2 and across the season, he excelled by scoring 10 goals in 18 games in the competition.
Loan listed at the start of July as per BBC Sport, Castledine is contracted at Chelsea until 2027 and you’d have to imagine it will be very difficult for Rangers to reach an agreement regarding a loan-to-buy deal.
But Chelsea would like him to gain experience out on loan for the 2024/25 season, albeit a deal that guarantees his return to Cobham next summer.
