Derby County have more money to spend than Rangers this summer – meaning they may find it far easier to agree a fee for Hearts’ Jamie Walker
Heart of Midlothian’s Jamie Walker
It’s easy to make comparisons between Rangers’ attempted deal for Norwich City midfielder Graham Dorrans and their interest in Hearts winger Jamie Walker.
Both are reported to be more than keen on a summer switch to Ibrox but, so far, Rangers are yet to meet their asking price. Shortly after having a second bid for boyhood fan Dorrans rejected, with Norwich holding out for a six-figure sum, the Scottish Sun claims that Hearts have dismissed a £500,000 offer for Walker.
Graham Dorrans of Norwich City
The Edinburgh club are also said to be holding out for more than £1 million for a player who netted 15 times from the wing last season.
This is despite Director of Football Craig Levein admitting that the 23-year-old wanted to leave Tynecastle. And, just to further stir the speculation, Walker was pictured alongside Rangers newbies Daniel Candeias and Dalcio just a few days ago.
Outbid?
However, although the Scottish Sun add that negotiations will continue over the coming days and weeks, you wonder whether Rangers are playing with fire.
After all, Derby County made their interest in Walker known back in December after sending scouts to watch the goalscoring wideman in action in the Scottish Premiership. In fact, then-manager Steve McClaren admitted his interest in the former Scotland Under-21 international, the Derby Telegraph reports.
Though McClaren is no longer at the club, replaced by Gary Rowett, rumours linking star man Tom Ince with a move to Huddersfield Town (The Sun) means Derby should not be discounted from the race just yet.
Former Derby manager Steve McClaren
And the worry for Rangers is that The Rams will be able to comfortably outbid them if they still want to sign Walker this summer. For example, while Joe Garner was Rangers’ most expensive signing last summer at £1.8 million, Derby paid more than that on three players – including £8 million striker Matej Vydra.
Therefore, Rangers cannot afford to be complacent.
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