Sunderland loanee Jordan Jones has been told that he is free to leave Rangers in the summer with Middlesbrough, Stoke and Cardiff City all interested, as reported by TEAMtalk.
After falling out of favour at Ibrox thanks to disciplinary issues and the fine form of Ryan Kent, the Northern Ireland international certainly had a point to prove when he arrived on Wearside in January.
And prove it he certainly has.
To put it simply, Jones looks far too good for the third tier of English football.
His first two goals in Sunderland colours were finishes of a player who belongs at a far higher level; a rasping long-range drive against Crewe followed by the most subtle and sublime of dinks at Portsmouth.
According to TEAMtalk, Jones’ resurgence south of the border will not be enough to save his Rangers career, however.
The newly-crowned Scottish Premiership champions have made it clear that the former Kilmarnock star is free to leave, although he is not short of offers.
Cardiff, Stoke and promotion-chasing Barnsley have all made enquiries, asking how much Rangers want for a player who is apparently valued at around £600,000.
Interestingly, Redcar-born Jones is also on the radar of Middlesbrough, with the quicksilver winger offered a return to his boyhood club after five years away from the Riverside.
It is safe to assume Sunderland would jump at the chance to keep Jones at the Stadium of Light, although their chances of a permanent transfer rest on their promotion prospects with so many Championship clubs in the race.
Jones was forced to watch from afar as the Black Cats ended their Wembley curse against Tranmere in the Papa John’s Trophy final, however, after failing a late fitness test.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
