If a report from The Sun is believed to be true, Rangers are eyeing a summer swoop for Stoke City’s Josh Tymon. The Potters, however, are likely to demand a fee of around £5m for the young left fullback and the Gers, therefore, must raise the funds first before securing his services prior to the upcoming term.
Rangers have Borna Barisic as the preferred option down the left, particularly after Calvin Bassey’s emergence as a centre-half. But the Croatian had an underwhelming season with just three assists in 43 appearances across competitions. He even lost his place to Bassey following a dreadful derby display midway through the campaign.
Why Rangers Need A New Left Fullback
Meanwhile, the Nigerian is a man in demand south of the border. Aston Villa are leading the chase over a potential reunion with the former Gers chief Steven Gerrard. Injuries to Leon Balogun and Filip Helander earned Bassey an identity in the heart of the backline and the gaffer Giovanni van Bronckhorst should consider the 22-year-old as a central defensive option if he commits his future at Ibrox beyond the summer window. Barisic, thus, would be the only outright left-back in the Light Blues squad despite a below-par season.
Tymon, 23, represented England in various youth ranks since his Hull City years. He progressed through the academy ranks of the Tigers before breaking into their senior side in 2016 as the understudy to Andrew Robertson. The youngster made five Premier League appearances before Hull went down in the second tier of English football.
In spite of new contract offers, Tymon opted for Stoke City on a Bosman transfer. But he suffered yet another relegation a year later. Loan spells at MK Dons and Famalicão in Portugal helped the defender develop his game at the senior level and the Potters manager Michael O’Neill eventually promoted him in the first-team ahead of Morgan Fox in the pecking order.
What Would Tymon Offer At Ibrox
Although he scored only once and laid on four more in the Championship season, the balanced nature of his game between attack and defence must have impressed the Dutch boss. However, the left-back only extended his contract last year thus leaving the Light Blues with little space for negotiation.
Nevertheless, the Europa League runners-up should overcome the qualifiers test to seal a place in the Champions League group stage. The prize money would resolve the financial limitations, something that is stopping them from tying down Tymon on permanent terms.
