Rangers defender David Bates is being linked with a move away from Ibrox.
Referee Jonathan Bilinski gets between David Bates of Rangers FC (R) and Lucca of Corinthians
According to the Daily Record (p50), Sunderland are preparing to make a move to sign Rangers defender David Bates, who is out of contract this summer.
The Black Cats beat Hull City 1-0 over the weekend to boost their Championship survival hopes, with Joel Asoro bagging the only goal of the game at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland still find themselves in major trouble though, and manager Chris Coleman will be hoping to bring in new signings before next week’s transfer deadline to boost his squad.
Now, the Daily Record (p50) report that Sunderland are eyeing up a raid on Scottish side Rangers, as they want to sign defender David Bates.
Bates is out of contract at the end of the season, and with no new deal on the table just yet, Rangers could well lose the young centre back, either this month in a bargain deal or at the end of the season when his contract ends.
Sunderland are now hoping to take full advantage with a move for Bates, as they look to land a talented young defender given question marks over the future of Lamine Kone.
Bates, 21, joined Rangers from Raith Rovers back in the summer of 2016, initially penning a loan deal before making the move permanent in January 2017 as Rangers saw potential in him.
The centre back now has 14 first-team appearances to his name for Rangers, and whilst he looks to have a bright future, that could now lie away from Ibrox as Sunderland allegedly prepare their move.
Moussa Dembele of Celtic controls the ball under pressure from David Bates of Rangers
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