Rangers are reportedly hopeful of signing Dani Candeias this week in a move which could push Barrie McKay to Mark Warburton’s Nottingham Forest.
Rangers’ Barrie McKay is out of contract next summer
If Barrie McKay had his own way, he would be putting pen to paper on a new contract at Rangers. According to the Daily Mail, the 22-year-old admitted last month that he wanted to stay at Ibrox despite falling out of favour under manager Pedro Caixinha.
And this makes reports in the Daily Record that he could be available for as little as £2 million this summer particularly difficult to swallow for many Rangers supporters.
After all, McKay is arguably the most exciting talent on the club’s books since their liquidation in 2012. Furthermore, his £2 million asking price doesn’t begin to reflect the winger’s quality – particularly as the Daily Record add that RB Leipzig were willing to pay £6 million back in January.
One in, one out
Nonetheless, if Caixinha’s decision to drop him for league and cup clashes against Celtic wasn’t enough of an indication that McKay’s future lay elsewhere, recent transfer links appear to make clear that the Scot will be forced out of Ibrox – and potentially in the direction of Nottingham Forest.
Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha
The Daily Record add that Caixinha is hopeful of adding another new face to his squad before the end of the week. And it appears that Benfica winger Dani Candeias is the favourite to join Bruno Alves, Carlos Pena, Ryan Jack and Dalcio in Glasgow.
The 29-year-old is available at just £700,000 – a fee that looks nothing short of snip when taking into account his impressive season on loan at Alanyaspor in Turkey during 2016/17. And, tellingly, Candeias’ favoured position, left-wing, is the same as McKay’s.
Daniel Candeias (L) in action for Nacional
Therefore, Nottingham Forest may be in luck. The Daily Mail reported last month that the Championship club would pounce if McKay was made available.
After all, Forest manager Mark Warburton turned McKay into a first-team regular during his reign at Ibrox.
Mark Warburton got the best out of McKay at Rangers
And it appears that they could not have a better opportunity to get their man with Rangers closing in on his likely replacement.
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