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Rangers in transfer battle with La Liga clubs, free-agent offered Ibrox deal

Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images
Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images
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GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 18: Martin Fraisl of FC Schalke 04 reacts after the Second Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and SC Paderborn 07 at Veltins Arena on February 18, 2022 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Rangers have offered Schalke goalkeeper Martin Fraisl a two-year deal at Ibrox but face competition from clubs in Serie A, La Liga and the Premier League, as reported by Spox

Last month, the late-blooming Austrian admitted that he would relish the prospect of signing a new contract with a promotion-chasing Schalke side. 

Unfortunately for Fraisl, it seems his Veltins Arena superiors see things differently. Not only have Schalke declined to open talks with their 28-year-old shot-stopper, there are currently no plans to do so either. 

Despite establishing himself as Schalke’s first-choice goalkeeper in recent weeks, displacing club legend Ralf Fahrmann, it looks increasingly likely that Fraisl will be leaving one of European football’s great underachievers on a free transfer.

It is understood that Schalke have already drawn up plans to replace Fraisl should they secure a return to the Bundesliga this season. 

Not that he’ll be short of offers when his contract expires in July.

Will Rangers win the race for Martin Fraisl?

Rangers see Fraisl as a potential successor for 40-year-old Allan McGregor at Ibrox. Spox claim that the former ADO Den Hag man has been offered a deal. One that would keep him in Glasgow until the summer of 2024. 

Norwich City are keen on Fraisl too (Mail).

It is understood that clubs in Spain, Italy and England’s second-tier are also in the race. So too Olympiakos, the reigning Greek Super League champions and regulars in European competition. 

GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 18: Julian Justvan of SC Paderborn 07 and goalkeeper Martin Fraisl of FC Schalke 04 battle for the ball during the Second Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and SC Paderborn 07 at Veltins Arena on February 18, 2022 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Ralf Treese/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Photo by Ralf Treese/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

“Martin Fraisl, specifically, is doing an excellent job,” says Schalke’s sporting director Rouven Schroder when pressed on the ‘keeper’s future in Gelsenkirchen.

“We are monitoring the situation closely. But our focus is currently on day-to-day business.”

Fraisl is not the only soon-to-be free-agent glovesman on Randers’ radar.

Van Bronckhorst’s title-chasing side are also eyeing Zander Clark of St Johnstone and Dundee United’s Benjamin Siegrist. Sam Johnstone, West Brom’s England international, has also been linked in recent weeks. 

MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: WBA goalkeeper  Sam Johnstone celebrates the West Brom goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion at Riverside Stadium on February 22, 2022 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images