Despite having a formidable force with enough depth as well as quality across the pitch, Steven Gerrard is not done yet in terms of strengthening the squad furthermore and according to Sky Sports, Rangers want Bournemouth duo Jack Simpson and Nnamdi Ofoborh who are already in the radar of many ahead of a potential winter transfer.
Simpson, 24, has progressed through the youth ranks of the Cherries before earning the first-team status a couple of seasons ago. However, the sporadic Premier League experience did not work out following their relegation to the Championship and the Englishman slipped down the pecking order behind skipper Steve Cook, Lloyd Kelly and Chris Mepham with only 6 league starts so far in their attempt to secure an immediate top-flight return.
Growing Interest In Simpson and Ofoborh
Bournemouth, meanwhile, accepted Cardiff City’s offer in the region of £750,000 for the defender as they are ready to cash in over losing him for free upon expiration of his contract at the end of the current campaign. Simpson is yet to agree on personal terms with the Bluebirds and the Gers’ interest has now handed the Wales hotshots a major blow with just over a week remaining before the window is slammed shut.
Ofoborh, too, will be a free agent this summer having failed to secure a starting role in spite of his contribution towards Wycombe Wanderers’ fairy tale promotion last year. The loan spell with the Chairboys was productive for the 21-year-old central midfielder, yet an exit is inevitable with 3 minutes of league football since returning to his boyhood club (stats via Transfermarket).
Charlton boss Lee Bowyer was keen on securing his services in their bid to reclaim a place in the Championship, however, “a lot more attractive offers at a higher level and even some abroad” makes a move to south-east London highly unlikely, particularly after the Light Blues’ emergence as one of the prime suitors.
Why Rangers Want The Bournemouth Pair
Rangers want Simpson and Ofoborh for specific reasons. An ACL injury has sidelined Nikola Katic for months whereas George Edmundson is struggling for minutes since joining the Glasgow giants back in the summer of 2019. Filip Helander is the only other central defensive option behind the preferred duo of Connor Goldson and Leon Balogun, and the signing of Simpson would offer more cover in the heart of the backline considering the upcoming fixture congestion due to the European outings.
Moreover, the ongoing fitness issues of Ryan Jack left the Bears with Steven Davis and Bongani Zungu as the only experienced deep-lying midfielders available in recent months and the arrival of Ofoborh should see the gaffer rotating his players more often in order to keep them fit and fresh going forward.
