Championship side Sunderland are keen to lure David Bates away from Ibrox with his contract expiring at Scottish Premiership giants Rangers.
You could argue that Rangers would only have themselves to blame if David Bates slipped through their grasp.
The 21-year-old defender will be out of contract at the end of the season, with Rangers yet to tie him down to a new deal despite offering fresh terms to fellow young centre-backs Ross McCrorie and Aiden White.
As reported by the Daily Record, negotiations have been ongoing with Bates’ representatives but so far the club and player are yet to agree on a deal. As a result, this has opened the door for the former Ross County prospect of leave Ibrox for nothing other than a five-figure compensation fee at the end of this season.
It is understood that a number of English sides are keen with Sunderland currently at the front of the queue. The cash-strapped Black Cats have pretty much no money to secure new signings but Bates’ precarious contract situation means he is within their very limited budget.
Therefore, Rangers have four months to get a new contract thrashed out with Bates who, according to the Daily Record, would rather stay at his boyhood club.
But after the Ibrox giants secured the signing of veteran Russell Martin on loan from Norwich City, Bates could struggle for opportunities for the rest of this season.
And he could hardly be blamed for considering his future if the club cannot guarantee that he is in an important part of their future, or immediate, plans.
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