According to a recent report by the Sheffield Star, Premiership giants Rangers are said to be among a trio of clubs currently chasing the potential signing of highly-rated Sheffield United midfielder John Lundstram. The report suggests that the Blades are yet to receive any concrete offers from any of the aforementioned clubs, but his departure from Parkhead is undoubtedly a distinct possibility.
With just a year remaining on his current contract at Bramall Lane, this summer would present the Blades their last chance to make some money off Lundstram’s transfer.
Although the report has clarified that Rangers are keen on Sheffield United’s John Lundstram, whether or not he chooses to leave the Premier League side remains to be seen. West Ham United and Brighton have been named as the two other clubs who are maintaining an interest in the midfielder, but Chris Wilder’s desire to keep him at the club has also been conveyed. Although the hopes that he signs a new contract with United remain, the fact that he refused what was initially described as a ‘take it or leave it’ contract offer earlier in the year could come as a deterrent.
What Kind Of Player Is John Lundstram?
The Sheffield United ace was one of the top performers in the Premier League during the first half of the season, a period during which he was an undisputed regular in Wilder’s first-team picture. Capable of linking up play and finding forward passes fairly efficiently, the Englishman offers a decent physical presence in the engine room as well. Despite being a central midfielder by position, Lundstram tends to pitch in with goals and assists at vital times, while his ability to make late runs into space have also been one of his biggest selling points.
The Sheffield United man would undoubtedly add a fair degree of dynamism to the Gers’ rather narrow midfield roster. Capable of producing results at either end of the pitch, Lundstram could be best described as the quintessential modern-day midfielder, in that there isn’t much that he doesn’t do well. Despite having made 300 appearances across various levels of the game in his career so far, the last campaign was his first one in the Premier League. Having finished the season with five goals and three assists to show for his 34 appearances, it’s safe to say that Lundstram has the quality required to perform at the highest level.
What Is Rangers’ Current Midfield Situation?
The Ibrox club doesn’t boast the greatest numbers in the middle of the park, and this has been an area of concern since the start of the season. Their options in the area include Ryan Jack, Glen Kamara, Joe Aribo, Scott Arfield and Steven Davis. Among them, Jack and Aribo have proven over the last many weeks that they’ve got what it takes to deliver. The other three though, are yet to show anywhere near the performance level that’s required. With Gerrard preferring to deploy three midfielders, the acquisition of Lundstram would immediately solve one of his squad’s biggest issues.
Rangers Are Keen On Sheffield United’s John Lundstram: Smart Move For Gerrard?
With Rangers hoping to challenge Celtic for the title this season, their recent level of activity in the transfer market hasn’t come as too much of a surprise. Gerrard seems to be addressing his concerns within this squad one by one, and the signings of Leon Balogun, Cedric Itten and Kemar Roofe have done just that. Central midfield and the wide areas are the only ones that remain, and Lundstram would singlehandedly solve the former. A good passer of the ball, the Englishman has the quality required to not just flourish on his own in Glasgow, but also help bring the best out of some of his teammates.
