Rangers are eyeing a £3.5million summer move to lure Preston North End goalkeeper Freddie Woodman to Ibrox.
That’s according to The Scottish Sun, who claim that Rangers want to lure Woodman to Glasgow.
It’s suggested that a Rangers scout was in attendance at Deepdale on Tuesday night to watch Woodman in action for PNE against Coventry City.
A scout from Rangers did attend the game but we’re a little suspicious of this being a case of two plus two equalling five.
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The report even claims that North End are willing to cash in on Woodman at the end of the season – and have let interested parties know that a deal is possible.
That wouldn’t go down to well with PNE fans and seems a little hard to imagine at this stage of the season.
Premier League sides Leeds United and Leicester City are also allegedly interested in signing Woodman.
Rangers appear to be the most interested team right now and that’s no surprise.
First-choice goalkeeper Allan McGregor has turned 41 and Rangers need to find his long-term successor.
That isn’t going to be backup goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin and it’s unlikely to be third-choice Robby McCrorie.
That means Rangers could spend on a new goalkeeper this summer and Norwich City’s Angus Gunn has already been linked.
Woodman is another option for the Gers, who would be able to offer European football to the PNE stopper.
Woodman even has history in Scotland having turned out for Kilmarnock and Aberdeen in years gone by, which may appeal to Rangers.
It’s also worth noting that Woodman’s father Andy has ties to the Rangers coaching staff.
Rangers first-team coach Damian Matthew played alongside Andy Woodman at Crystal Palace in the 1990’s and were part of the Charlton Athletic coaching staff together in the 2010-11 season.
That could give Rangers an insight into Woodman’s plans moving forward.
We would love to see Woodman stay at PNE but we understand the financial situation of the club.
If Rangers – or even Leeds, Leicester or anybody else – come forward with £3.5million then we would imagine Woodman will be sold.
We’re only in March but the summer rumours are starting already – unfortunately, it’s over a potential high-profile exit rather than an incoming.