Todd Cantwell could be an ‘outstanding’ addition at Rangers with the Norwich City playmaker exactly the sort of cultured, technically-gifted attacker Mick Beale likes, former Carrow Road coach Gary Holt tells the Daily Record.
Cantwell’s dramatic loss of form over the last few seasons have been well-documented but, as Holt points out, you don’t lose that match-winning potential overnight. As recently as the summer of 2021, Norwich were demanding around £40 million for the one-time Manchester City and Liverpool target.
If Beale can coax out even a fraction of the talent that made Cantwell such a hit during his debut Premier League campaign in 2019/20, then Rangers will have a footballer capable of winning games all on his own at Ibrox.
“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,” says former Scotland international Holt.
“You could bring him on for the last 20 minutes away and he’d win you the game. But play him at places where you will dictate the game and he can certainly unlock doors. Not a problem.”
According to talkSPORT, Rangers are still holding discussions behind the scenes regarding a potential January move for the stylish attacking midfielder; an elegant, balletic ball-carrier in the Jack Grealish mould.
Cantwell is out of contract this summer. And, like Malik Tillman, Ilias Chair and Joe Willock, the so-called ‘Dereham Deco’ could thrive under a forward-thinking coach who prefers to play with an orthodox number ten.
‘Better than Joe Aribo’
“Todd is similar (to Tillman) in terms of getting the ball in the final third and drifting away from his opponent. Michael will like him,” Holt adds.
“(He can be worth) easily £10m and above. Todd can light it up on the biggest stage. Rangers fans will love him because of what he can do. Give him the ball and he’ll create for you.
“I’d say Todd’s technically better than Joe Aribo. Joe is more robust and more energy, box to box, but Todd’s a gifted footballer with a very good brain in him. He was mentioned the £35m mark a few years ago and you don’t lose that.”
According to The Sun, Norwich’s Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers have seen a £1.5 million bid rejected for Cantwell this month.
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