Rangers are confident that Angus Gunn can reach new levels at Ibrox should Michael Beale secure his transfer. Gers chiefs feel the Norwich City goalkeeper can be their long-term No1.
That is according to Dean Jones, who reports that multiple Rangers chiefs admire what Gunn can offer in Glasgow. The Premiership giants believe the shot-stopper can be a real asset for the club going forward. While the 27-year-old can reach greater heights under Beale’s wing.
Gunn has endured a somewhat frustrating campaign amid Norwich’s troubles in the English Championship this season. He has only kept two clean sheets through 15 second-tier games so far this term. Yet the goalkeeper has only conceded 18 goals since taking over the gloves.
Dean Smith initially favoured Tim Krul as the Canaries’ No1 but he would turn to Gunn from October. David Wagner is also now favouring Gunn after initially recalling Krul to the line-up after taking charge in January. Yet the Norfolk outfit still rank outside of the play-off places.
It was under Smith’s predecessor Daniel Farke that Norwich re-signed Gunn following a loan spell earlier in his career. The Canaries paid Southampton an initial £5m, rising to £7m after add-ons, in June 2021. He also agreed to put pen to paper on a four-year, £25k-a-week deal.
Norwich City will now take a loss to sell Angus Gunn amid transfer interest from Rangers
Gunn is also a product of Norwich’s academy before joining Manchester City’s youth fold in 2011. The goalkeeper would then leave the Citizens for Southampton in July 2018 for £10m, rising to £13.5m. But he only appeared in 30 fixtures with the Saints across all competitions.
Now, Gunn is a transfer target of Rangers after impressing Ibrox chiefs with his displays with Norwich. The Scottish Sun also reports that Gers chiefs view the 6 ft 5 stopper as a potential long-term No1. Ross Wilson also knows the goalkeeper well from their Southampton spells.
Despite Gunn now returning to favour at Carrow Road, Wagner’s instant preference for Krul has seen Norwich slap a £3m asking price on the goalkeeper, as well. Wilson is eager to give Beale fresh options with Allan McGregor 41 years old and Jon McLaughlin 36 in September.
Gunn still has plenty of time to reach the greater levels that Rangers chiefs feel the Norwich star can reach. He only turned 27 in January, while his former Southampton manager Mark Hughes lauded what the goalkeeper offered under him at St Mary’s following a strong start.
“In each of the games he has been part of, he has given us a calmness and an assurance you need,” Hughes said, via quotes by the Shropshire Star, in 2018. “He is an outstanding young goalkeeper. We had to move quickly because there was a lot of interest in him.”
