Rangers are in active discussions with the agent of Scott Arfield for a possible new contract to ward off the threat of the midfielder leaving Ibrox in a free transfer when his deal ends.
That’s according to the Daily Record, who report the Rangers board and Arfield’s agent are in communication over an extension. But the Premiership giants are yet to put a new deal on the table that convinces the 33-year-old to extend his Glasgow stay into a fifth season.
Arfield moved to Ibrox for free as Steven Gerrard’s first signing following his contract with Burnley expiring in 2018. But he is now nearing the end of the four-year deal agreed at the time of his arrival. So, Giovanni van Bronckhorst risks losing one of his key players in May.
Arfield has only missed one of a potential 18 Premiership fixtures since Rangers hired Van Bronckhorst in November. He has also made five appearances under the Dutchman in the Europa League, to help secure a quarter-final showdown against Portuguese outfit Braga.
The Livingston-born technician has also offered three goals over his top-flight appearances under Van Bronckhorst. Only Ryan Kent (7), Alfredo Morelos (5) and Joe Aribo (4) have so far scored more league goals than Arfield has amassed since Gerrard left the Glasgow side.
Rangers in agent talks over new Scott Arfield contract but agreement remains off
Rangers will prefer to retain Arfield with a new contract than see Van Bronckhorst lose one of his more trusted players in a free transfer this May. But the Gers and the 19-cap Canada international’s agent are yet to reach an agreement over the terms of any such extension.
The midfielder, who Van Bronckhorst calls ‘excellent’, would not be short of suitors should he leave Ibrox in the summer. Fanatik noted Super Lig duo Alanyaspor and Hatayspor held talks with Arfield’s representatives over a move to Turkey in the January transfer window.
Both sides sought to sound out Arfield’s interest in leaving Scotland mid-season, but failed to secure his services. They would unlikely be the only clubs interested if the Gers now fail to secure his future, past the May expiration of the former Falkirk star’s £16k-a-week deal.
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