Rangers are looking to seal a loan transfer for New York City FC star James Sands to give Giovanni van Bronckhorst an alternative to Filip Helander, according to TuttoMercatoWEB.
The Ibrox hierarchy are eager to strengthen the Dutchman’s defence in the January sales to further improve their Premiership hopes. Rangers entered the early winter break top of the table after 20 games with a six-point lead over rivals Celtic.
But Rangers have registered a marginally inferior defensive record to the Hoops so far this season. The Bhoys have the best record to date, having only conceded 12 goals over their 20 games. The Gers, meanwhile, have allowed 14, while keeping nine clean sheets, as well.
Van Bronckhorst has not been able to field Helander since replacing Steven Gerrard at the helm, either. The £3.5m arrival from Bologna in 2019 has missed the Ibrox outfit’s last 15 league games after undergoing surgery for a knee injury that may keep him out until 2022.
So, Rangers are moving strong to sign Sands on loan from New York City in the January transfer window. TMW do not suggest if the deal would include any future purchase terms.
Rangers can give Van Bronckhorst versatile star with transfer for NYCFC ace Sands
Sands is one of New York City’s most important stars after becoming their first homegrown player in 2017. He broke through from their academy at 16 and has made 76 appearances.
NYCFC also locked the 21-year-old down to a new, five-year contract this March. He went on to help to seven clean sheets over 26 regular season Major League Soccer matches and one in four play-off ties on route to beating Portland Timbers on penalties for the MLS Cup.
Boss Ronny Deila also deployed Rangers transfer target Sands across the New York City squad in 2021. He played 16 of his 30 games at centre-back and 10 as a holding midfielder.
All four of Sands’ play-off appearances came in a deep-lying midfield role. He also featured four times at right-back during the regular term under Deila, who has long lauded his skill.
“James is a big prospect, I’m very impressed by him as a player and his personality,” Deila said, via MLSsoccer.com. “He has all the discipline and mental strength that you need to become a really good player. I think James is going to be an important player for us.”
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