Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers could miss out on John Souttar with Lancs Live reporting that Stoke City are in ‘pole position’ to land the Hearts defender.
As Lewis Hamilton found out earlier this month, a lead can disappear in the blink of an eye.
So Stoke should be leaving nothing to chance ahead of the January transfer window, even if Michael O’Neill’s Potters are currently very well-placed to secure the signature of one of Britain’s most coveted centre-halves.
Souttar is due to become a free-agent next summer.
And, with the Scotland international free to sign a pre-contract agreement with a new club next month, his availability has not gone unnoticed on either side of Hadrian’s Wall.
According to the Scottish Sun, Celtic and Rangers are in the race.
As are a whole host of clubs from below the border, Blackburn Rovers, Nottingham Forest and Stoke among them.
It is the latter side who appear to be leading the chase, however. Lancs Live believe that Blackburn, Celtic, Rangers and co are in danger of choking on Stoke’s dust with Souttar edging towards a mid-season switch to the Bet365 Stadium.
Will Celtic and Rangers miss out on John Souttar?
Hearts boss Robbie Neilson indicated recently that it would take a ‘huge’ bid to tempt the Tynecastle club into a January sale. The reality, however, may be very different.
Hearts must weigh up whether or not to sell Souttar now or lose him on a free a few months down the line.
In stark contrast to Neilson’s claims, some reports have suggested that an offer in the region of £500,000 would be enough.
Hardly a ‘huge’ sum.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Rangers will remain in the market for defensive reinforcements if they miss out on Souttar, given that both Leon Balogun and Connor Goldson are also out of contract next summer.
Jack Simpson is also facing an uncertain future, having played just 115 minutes of Premiership football all season long.
In a strange twist of fate, Souttar may be tasked with replacing his younger brother at Stoke City. Harry Souttar, two years John’s junior, suffered a season-ending ACL injury during the November international break.
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