Report: Rangers want Gareth McAuley on one-year deal; Aston Villa keen

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Glasgow Rangers are reportedly considering trying to bring Gareth McAuley to Ibrox, but face competition for his signature.

According to a report from the Daily Record, Rangers chief Mark Allen has reached out to Gareth McAuley about the possibility of the Northern Ireland international moving to Ibrox on a one-year deal – but the Gers are bracing themselves for competition for his signature.

McAuley is set to be a free agent this summer following West Bromwich Albion’s relegation from the Premier League, and the Record reports that the Gers have wasted little time in making contact as Steven Gerrard chases as many as four new centre-backs ahead of his first season in the dug-out.

The Record adds however, that John Terry’s departure from Aston Villa has seen the Championship side also seriously consider a move for the 38-year-old, but he is keen on joining Rangers and is now waiting to see whether Gerrard gives Allen the green light to make a concrete bid for his signature.

The Record suggests that McAuley is hoping to keep playing international football until Euro 2020 and sees a move to Rangers as the perfect way to make that happen – seemingly leaving the path clear for the Light Blues to get something done if Gerrard is keen on the Baggies hero.

It would be something of a gamble for Rangers to pursue a deal. McAuley made just nine Premier League appearances for a West Brom side that appeared to show little fight before Darren Moore was given the job on a temporary basis this past season and by then, it was virtually too late for the club to save themselves from relegation.

However, with a potential deal being a free transfer, it could undoubtedly prove to be a very shrewd piece of business from Rangers, especially when you consider how well Clint Hill did following his move to the Scottish Premiership at the same sort of stage of his career. It may not be one of the most exciting moves that the Gers hope to do this summer, but perhaps it could prove to be one of their smartest acquisitions should they see off competition from Villa.