According to the latest reports from Daily Record live transfer blog (10:48), Rangers are set to lose out on Oldham Atheltic defender George Edmundson as Portsmouth’s bid of £600,000 has been accepted. Oldham have given the League One side permission to talk to Edmundson regarding personal terms. Rangers made two offers, and they were rejected. The Bears’ last offer was said to be at £500,000 with future add ons.
The report also mentions that Edmundson prefers a move to Scotland, but he is now going to open talks with the Checkatrade trophy holders soon. Rangers still have a chance to make one last push, and it remains to be seen whether Gerrard would make that move.
The defender had an impressive campaign for the League Two outfit and Edmundson was even named in the division’s team of the season. At just 21, he was the mainstay of his side at the back as he made 54 appearances in all competitions.
The defender is set to enter into the final year of his contract, and he even handed in a transfer request not too long ago. Some reports had mentioned that Gerrard went as high as £600,000, but now latest reports convey that the Gers went up until £500,000 with future add ons.
Why Rangers need a defender soon?
Rangers are desperately in need of a defender as they have lost the services of Joe Worrall and Gareth McAuley. The club only has two first-team centre back options in the form of Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic. With Europa League qualifiers set to begin early, it is imperative for Gerrard to add a new centre back to his roster.
Should Gerrard make one final push?
The Edmundson saga has stretched on for quite a long time, and it would be frustrating for Gerrard to see Rangers miss out on him for £100,000. Given that the player prefers a move to Scotland, we feel that Rangers can make one final swoop for the defender. Earlier it was reported that Oldham are valuing Edmundson at £1m, but they have accepted a bid from Portsmouth for £600,000.
Gerrard desperately needs a new defender to come in, and Edmundson would be a decent addition for the current price. We would have liked Rangers to go after an experienced and proven centre back as Edmundson hasn’t been tested at the top level, and he could find it hard to cope with the pressure of playing for Rangers.
Nevertheless, ability wise, he seems to have it in him to perform at Ibrox, and it is likely going to come down to whether he would manage to settle in at a new club. With time running out, maybe Gerrard should test Edmundson’s and Oldham’s resolve one last time before giving up on this transfer.
