Rangers boss Steven Gerrard played alongside Richards for England.
Aston Villa outcast Micah Richards is reportedly set to leave the Midlands club this summer after failing to feature for the Championship side since October 2016 – and Steven Gerrard should consider a move.
Richards, 30, has been sitting on £35,000 a week in the reserves at Villa, but Steve Bruce has opted against playing the former Manchester City and Fiorentina defender.
A 13-time England international, Richards played alongside Gerrard for The Three Lions, but the Daily Mail claim the two-time Premier League winner is now set to be made a free agent.
Rangers need a centre-back still after missing out on the likes of Curtis Tilt, Jake Cooper, Mark Beevers and Kean Bryan. They only have new signings Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic to choose from.
That is after Gerrard has decided to get rid of Bruno Alves and Fabio Cardoso, while David Bates, Danny Wilson and Russell Martin have all left the club in 2018. A new centre-back is a must for Gerrard.
Though Richards was earning a huge pay cheque at Villa, he would be foolish to demand a similar figure at his next club and his wage demands will be severely reduced. It gives Rangers a chance to land the versatile ace.
Indeed, Rangers would be adding a player who is capable of performing at the highest level, if Gerrard can get the best out of his former England teammate.
With Richards on the lookout for a new club as he looks set to be made available for nothing – 12 months before his contract expires at the end of the season – Gerrard would be wasting a chance to sign a defender that can improve Rangers, if he decides to overlook Richards.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
