Rangers are in the race to land Fleetwood Town defender James Hill – and have a perfect chance to beat Liverpool to his signing in January.
There are many talents emerging down in England, and Hill is very appealing to any Championship, Premier League or Scottish Premiership clubs.
Hill, 19, is starting regularly for Fleetwood Town in League One. He even has three caps for the England Under-20’s to his name.
The son of former Preston North End defender Matt Hill, James is showing the potential to far surpass his father’s career.
Fleetwood owner Andy Pilley has now suggested that Hill is ‘destined for the top’ amid a real battle for his signature.
It was stated by the Sunday Mirror (10/10, p64) that Rangers and Liverpool both want to sign Hill.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season, Hill looks set to leave Fleetwood.
This gives Rangers a golden chance to swoop in and sign Hill before Liverpool can take full advantage of his contract situation.
Because Rangers are outside of England, they can sign Hill to a pre-contract agreement in January.
Cross-border compensation rules mean Hill can be signed for a fraction of his true worth – something Rangers have exploited to sign the likes of Joe Aribo and Josh Windass in the past.
Liverpool would have to negotiate with Fleetwood to sign Hill, but Rangers can effectively bypass the League One side with a contract offer straight to Hill.
Steven Gerrard’s men have a great opportunity to swoop in and pip Liverpool to Hill’s signature, and it’s a chance that Ross Wilson and co simply have to take in order to land one of English football’s top teenage defenders for a bargain price.
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