According to the reports from Daily Record, Rangers are likely to miss out on the signing of Scotland’s u-17 international Reagan Thomson as Newcastle United have opened talks with him. The Magpies are on the verge of agreeing on a substantial fee for the 16-year-old which will see him move to St. James’ Park in January next year.
The midfielder currently plies his trade for Scottish fourth-tier outfit Queen’s Park. Newcastle United will have to pay a compensation fee for the youngster if they want to sign him in January. It is believed that he was watched in action by the likes of Celtic, Rangers and other English clubs including Newcastle United when he played for Scotland Under-17s in last week’s win against Iceland where he came up with two assists.
Thomson has also managed to break into the senior team of Queen’s Park as he has made eight appearances in all competitions this season. The youngster is highly regarded as both the Glaswegian giants seemed interested in him along with clubs from down the south. Queen’s Park cannot demand a transfer fee for their youngster as they have amateur status.
But the fact that he has emerged from their academy means that any signing club will have to pay a compensation fee for him. The fee, therefore, which is being termed as a substantial one by Daily Record, might be significant from Queen’s Park point of view and not from the perspective of a Premier League club like Newcastle United.
One for the future?
Rangers might be disappointed if they miss out on him as they would fail to lure an upcoming Scottish talent. Thomson would have been a signing for the future as it is highly unlikely that he would have come close to the first-team scene at Ibrox right now.
The Bears currently have plenty of options in the middle and Gerrard is loaded with talent. The arrival of Joe Aribo, Glen Kamara and Steven Davis this year has brought depth and competitions for places in midfield. Maybe Thomson could have looked to move to a club where he would have had a much sooner path to playing first-team football.
A blow for Gerrard?
Given the vigours and challenges of the Premier League, he might struggle to make it through initially for the Magpies. He is being seen as an exceptional talent who can create scoring chances as a midfielder. As for now, it won’t be a blow for Rangers if they miss out on him but maybe if Thomson goes on to achieve big things in the future, then Rangers might rue this opportunity of not beating the Toon in the transfer race.
