Both Rangers and Hearts are said to be keen on bringing Berra to Ibrox and Tynecastle respectively.
Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy
Mick McCarthy is ready to grant Christophe Berra a return to Scotland this summer amid reported interest from Glasgow Rangers and Heart of the Midlothian.
The Edinburgh Evening Times reported on Tuesday that Rangers had joined their Premiership rivals in registering an interest in the Ipswich Town defender, whose contract expires in June.
Berra’s deal does, however, contain a 12-month extension option which can be exercised at any point by the English side.
But Ipswich boss McCarthy told the Sudbury Mercury he’ll be understanding of Berra’s situation, should the Edinburgh native wish to return to Scotland, where his daughter currently resides.
“Christophe Berra, as you know, there has been talk about him going to Hearts,” the Yorkshireman said.
“I’m saying Hearts, because it was the club he was at, but I mean Scotland. We’ve got an option on him as well.”
Asked if Berra’s circumstances would be taken into consideration when making a decision regarding an extension, McCarthy replied: “Absolutely. I’ve had Christophe for a long time now.
“If anyone comes to me and says they’ve got a funeral, a wedding or a birth, anything, I always say ‘go and sort it out’. Those family issues will be there for them when I’m long gone and when they’re long gone from any club. That’s important to me.”
The Edinburgh Evening Times reported that Berra is intrigued by the prospect of a return to Tynecastle, where he began his career under Craig Levein – now Hearts’ director of football – 14 years ago.
Ipswich Town’s Christophe Berra in action against Leeds’ Chris Wood
It was claimed that the identity of Rangers’ next manager – which now looks to be Al Gharafa coach Pedro Caixinha – could also have a bearing on the player’s decision-making.
Rangers centre-backs Clint Hill and Philippe Senderos are both out of contract at Ibrox this summer and Berra, who also played for McCarthy’s Wolverhampton Wanderers in England’s Premier League, could fill the void should either player depart.
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