According to the latest reports from Daily Record, Rangers are surprisingly hoping to offload Jordan Jones and Brandon Barker in the last few days of the transfer window. Both the wingers arrived in the summer, and it seems like they are already surplus to requirements.
It is being said that clubs south of the border have taken note of their availability. The Gers have already parted ways with Jamie Murphy, Eros Grezda and Andy King in this window. It seems like Rangers are looking to cut down on their wage bill. The report also mentions that Rangers could sign a new face in the last few days of the transfer window. However, any arrival would depend on whether the Bears could get rid of Jones and Barker from the wage bill.
Barker is reportedly earning £10k/week, and he has hardly made any impact in the first team for Rangers. The English winger has started in just two games in the Premiership, and there have been occasions when he has failed to get into match days squad.
What should be Gerrard’s play?
The report says that the gaffer has identified a priority target, but it is only likely to go through if the club can part ways with Jones and Barker. Now, if the target is a game-changer, then it is definitely worth considering. However, we cannot really comment on it without knowing who the priority target might be.
As mentioned Barker has hardly made any impact and even when he has played, the former Manchester City ace didn’t look really threatening. Hence, we feel that if Rangers can find the right suitor for the Englishman, then the club should sanction his departure.
With Jones, we feel that the winger has something to offer in the Rangers squad. The former Kilmarnock man did well at the beginning of the season and helped Rangers make it to the main draws in the Europa League. However, an injury setback was a significant blow, and he is still trying to establish himself. Jones is competing with Ryan Kent for first-team places, so he is likely finding it hard to break into the team.
Rangers haven’t been using traditional winger on the right for quite some time. Joe Aribo and Scott Arfield have featured on the right often so far, and they play more like an attacking midfielder instead of hugging the bylines. Hence, Rangers don’t need an outright winger on the right, and maybe that’s why Gerrard is looking to part ways with Jones and Barker. However, the club should keep Jones as he can be a handy backup to Kent and an impact substitute when required.
