The exact financial roadblock that forced Rangers to walk away from a deal for Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson has been revealed, clarifying the club’s pivot to Ivor Pandur.
The Ibrox hierarchy spent the early portion of the summer transfer window heavily assessing the market for long-term options between the sticks.
While various targets across the UK and Europe were monitored, it has now emerged exactly why cross-border interest in Patterson was ultimately shelved.
According to Alan Nixon via his Patreon, the hefty valuation placed on the 26-year-old shot-stopper proved entirely prohibitive for the Light Blues.
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Rangers put off by £7m Anthony Patterson price tag
Nixon reveals that Sunderland have slapped a firm £7million asking price on Patterson’s signature this summer.
That substantial figure immediately put off Rangers chiefs, who were unwilling to commit to such a significant chunk of Derek McInnes‘ summer rebuilding budget to a single position.
Rather than overpaying or entering a drawn-out bidding war with English sides, the Ibrox club chose to walk away from the negotiation table completely.
Instead, the recruitment team pivoted efficiently to continental targets, eventually securing Croatian shot-stopper Pandur.
The Gers acquired Pandur’s services for £6m, but with Jack Butland heading in the opposite direction to Hull City for around £3m, it was ultimately a player-plus-cash swap deal for £3m plus the veteran keeper.
Wrexham and Millwall fight over Patterson
With Rangers out of the equation, a fascinating transfer battle is now developing down south for the Black Cats keeper.
Ambitious League One outfit Wrexham are launching a bid to take Patterson to Wales.
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Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s side are pushing hard to agree a package with Sunderland, as they consider either a loan option or a permanent deal at £7m.
They face stiff competition from Millwall, who are desperate to bring Patterson back to The Den for a second spell following his highly successful loan stint in London last term.
Wolves retain an interest, though Molineux chiefs are also put off by the asking price.
For Rangers, looking back, walking away from the £7m sweepstakes looks like a highly sensible piece of fiscal discipline, allowing the club to land Pandur for a lower price while preserving some funds for other areas of the squad.
