Rangers should continue to pursue defender Kyle Bartley.
Rangers’ transfer business continues, as they have added two new defenders to their ranks this week with deals for centre backs Nikola Katic and Connor Goldson.
The Gers had already added a goalkeeper in Allan McGregor and two midfielders in Scott Arfield and Ovie Ejaria, but then turned their attention to the defensive options at Steven Gerrard’s options.
Croatian Katic is highly rated centre back touted for a bright future, whilst Goldson has been a top target for Gerrard and is likely to be a key part of the Rangers defence given the considerable fee spent on him.
However, even after bringing in two new centre backs, Rangers should contine to pursue Swansea City ace Kyle Bartley, with The Scottish Sun reporting last month that the Gers are interested.
Goldson is a solid defender who will start immediately, but throwing Katic straight into Scottish football may be a huge risk for Gerrard, especially with the Croatian international at the age just 21.
With Bruno Alves and Fabio Cardoso linked with returns to Portugal, Russell Martin heading back to Norwich City and David Bates signing for Hamburg, Rangers still need more defenders – and Bartley is ideal.
The 27-year-old starred during the 2016-17 campaign with Leeds United before heading back to parent club Swansea City, where he has struggled to play regular first-team football.
Bartley also has experience with Rangers having spent 18 months on loan with the club during his Arsenal days, and has proven himself as a solid defender and strong leader at the back.
With so many exits, Bartley could form a superb partnership with Goldson whilst Katic can be nurtured slowly, and whilst it may take a considerable fee to prise him from relegated Swansea, Bartley should still be near the top of Rangers’ wish list even after two defensive signings this week.
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