Rangers are reportedly interested in signing Wigan playmaker Powell.
Rangers are reportedly interested in signing Nick Powell on a pre-contract basis from Wigan Athletic this month, something which English clubs are unable to do – but it may make Greg Docherty’s loan spell pointless.
The Scottish Sun claim Rangers are after the 24-year-old Wigan ace, who is out of contract at the end of the season. Non-English clubs are unable to sign Powell on a pre-contract agreement, but foreign sides can.
That includes both Rangers and Celtic who are desperate to land the former Manchester United midfielder for nothing this month. It will see Powell move north of the border at the end of his contract.
The attacking midfielder has scored four goals and created five more in 18 games for Wigan this season, who are struggling towards the bottom of the Championship table.
With the Gers landing Steven Davis on loan in a move that could become permanent this summer, while Dundee’s Glen Kamara has also joined the club on a pre-contract, there is plenty of options in midfield.
Adding Powell into the mix would give Steven Gerrard another excellent option, but it may just see Greg Docherty struggle to earn a place in the side, despite shining on loan with League One side Shrewsbury Town.
Docherty, 22, has been in sensational form for the Shrews, scoring seven goals and creating eight more in 31 league and cup appearances. He has certainly done all he can to show Gerrard that he deserves a place in the Gers side.
The former Hamilton star will be hoping to return to Ibrox in the summer – being a boyhood Rangers fan – to break into Gerrard’s side and become a regular in the first team.
But with Davis, Kamara, Lassana Coulibaly, Scott Arfield and others, the signing of Powell would surely be a step too far for Docherty in his bid to regain a place in the side. Surely, then, his loan would be pointless if Rangers sign Powell.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
