Rangers remain interested in Hearts’ John Souttar but Blackburn Rovers appear to be leading the race at the moment, according to The Daily Record’s Scott Burns.
The lowdown
Souttar, who can play as a centre-back, right-back and defensive midfielder, is out of contract at the end of the 2021/22 season.
Having unsuccessfully offered him a new deal, Hearts are ‘increasingly resigned’ to losing the 25-year-old.
The four-times capped Scottish international, valued at £720,000 by Transfermarkt, has played 90 minutes in all but two of the Edinburgh club’s league games this season.
The latest
The report states that Rangers were ‘keen’ when Steven Gerrard was manager and that his successor Giovanni van Bronckhorst is also open to the move.
But Rangers may have to act fast if they’re to beat Blackburn to his signature. Rovers have opened talks with Souttar’s camp over a pre-contract agreement for the summer.
They’re ready to offer him a healthy salary boost and are said to be confident of landing him.
Rangers could attempt to sign him in January, but Hearts have made it clear that they’ll only listen to ‘significant’ offers.
The verdict
Would it be a big blow to miss out on Souttar? Arguably, yes. He’s performed very well this season, with his average WhoScored rating of 7.24/10 the highest in the Hearts squad.
He ranks in their top three for goals as well as successful aerial duels, interceptions, clearances and accurate long balls per 90.
Tellingly, former Hibs man Tam McManus tweeted earlier this month that the ‘very impressive’ Souttar was enjoying a ‘superb’ season and ‘walks into both Old Firm teams’.
In other news, Rangers have made a transfer decision over this midfielder.