Rangers now lead the race to secure the transfer of Norwich City star Todd Cantwell. Ibrox chiefs have held positive talks with the midfielder over a possible move to the Premiership.
That is according to Sky Sports, which reports the Gers are at the front of the queue for the 24-year-old’s signature. Cantwell has spoken with Rangers over a transfer from Norwich as David Wagner will let him leave in January. But the Glasgow team have not yet made a bid.
Canaries boss Wagner has given Cantwell permission to secure a transfer this month as the Norwich product is out of contract in June. He has a number of teams interested in a move this month, as well. One of whom is Rangers as boss Michael Beale marked him as a target.
Blackburn are battling Rangers for a transfer with Norwich for Todd Cantwell
Norwich have only received one bid for Cantwell so far which the Norfolk natives rejected. Sky Sports cites the offer as coming from an unnamed Championship team. Yet TEAMtalk has noted that it came from Blackburn Rovers and was worth £2m. But it was not enough.
Blackburn now face having to convince Cantwell of a move to Ewood Park if they return to Norwich with an improved offer. Sky Sports adds that the £25k-a-week playmaker favours a transfer to Rangers over the alternative destinations that his agent has presented to him.
Rangers boss Beale has even gone public with his appreciation of Cantwell as the Gers eye a transfer from Norwich. The 42-year-old said in Friday’s press conference, via Rangers TV:
“He’s a player with a lot of ability and there will be a lot of interest in him. He is a player that I like a lot. I said last week that I can’t really say much more than that. But you [the media] are not far off the track for what you are all insinuating.”
Reports by The Scottish Sun also credit Rangers with an interest in Cantwell’s transfer from Norwich. But it notes that Beale remains undecided on signing the Canaries product during the January market or to wait for the former England U21 maestro to become a free agent.
Gary Holt has told Michael Beale why he should sign Todd Cantwell
Cantwell would offer Beale a creative presence as Rangers look to fight for the Premiership title if brought to Ibrox. He has offered Norwich 14 goals and 12 assists over 129 first-team appearances to date. But the left-sided midfielder is yet to score or assist in 19 this season.
Yet former Carrow Road midfielder-turned-coach Gary Holt has told the Daily Record what an offensive force Cantwell could be and why the Norwich star suits a transfer to Rangers.
“He’d rather run a mile than head a ball!” Holt declared. “He’s never liked heading a ball.
“I hate tagging players but he’s a luxury player, one of those luxury players at the top end of the pitch who if you give him the ball, he will create goals out of nothing. He’d be outstanding at home for Rangers. The big stage, the big crowd – that’s his element.”
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