Jamie Walker is still a Hearts player despite long term interest from Rangers – and is likely to remain so after the transfer deadline.
Rangers are refusing to accept defeat in their attempts to lure Hearts winger Jamie Walker to Ibrox. Yet, with the Evening Times reporting that they still will not meet the Edinburgh club’s asking price, you wonder why they are bothering.
Rangers have made three bids to sign the 22-year-old this summer but Hearts are refusing to sell for less than £1 million – a fairly reasonable demand given one of the league’s most exciting players netted a career-best 15 goals in all competitions last season.
However, despite Walker rejecting a new contract that would have made him the best paid player in the Hearts’ squad, it appears unlikely that he will be plying his trade at Ibrox this season.
Rangers had hoped to sign Walker to provide extra depth out wide after the cut-price departures of Barrie McKay and Martyn Waghorn, who have enjoyed superb starts with their new clubs Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town.
However, with Rangers still some way off agreeing a fee, you wonder what would be the point of Pedro Caixinha’s side making yet another offer knowing that Hearts will not let Walker go on a reduced deal.
On the upside, however, Walker is out of contract this time next year, meaning Rangers could in theory discuss a pre-contract agreement in January ahead of a potential free transfer move in 2018.
Rangers improved their options on the flanks with the six-month loan signing of Manchester City starlet Aaron Nemane last week. However, the teenage Frenchman is likely to play for Rangers’ development squad for the time being.
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