According to the reports from Stoke Sentinel, Rangers are now said to be more interested than Celtic for the signature of Stoke City’s striker Tyrese Campbell. The forward is in the final few months of his contract at the club, and he is set to become a free agent in the summer.
Stoke boss trying to keep Campbell
The Potters have reportedly offered a new contract to the English forward, but he is yet to commit his future to the club. Boss Michael O’Neill is trying to persuade him to sign a new contract.
The manager said, ” He’s in the team, and I’ve made it very clear to him that I see his future here at Stoke City. The club have been in discussions with his representatives, and the club want him to stay as well. I suppose it’s a case of whether we can get that deal done. For him, the most important thing is to go somewhere or be somewhere where he’s going to the best opportunity to play, and I genuinely believe that’s here at Stoke City.”
One of the reasons why Campbell is unwilling to sign a contract is because he hasn’t got regular playing time at the club. However, the attacker has played full 90 minutes in the last two games for Stoke and has grabbed two goals and one assist in that time. So maybe there could be a turnaround in Campbell’s mind if he starts getting regular minutes at the club.
Does Gerrard need him?
Campbell is a versatile forward, and he can play upfront or on the right flank. Rangers are not in desperate need to add attacking options this season as they have got two brilliant strikers in Jermain Defoe and Alfredo Morelos. Nevertheless, it is being reported that Rangers are showing more interest than Celtic at the moment for Campbell.
To be fair, Defoe isn’t going to be around for long, and Morelos could move away in the summer if Rangers get a top offer for him. Hence, it makes sense for Gerrard to keep an eye on a new striker.
The Englishman is an England u-20 international, and for him to develop, he needs to be playing regularly. Campbell has done well at the youth level, but he needs to take the next big step in his career. We believe that he would be a decent signing for the Gers, but he is unlikely to be ready straight away to become the main striker. If Rangers can get him on a pre-contract deal and sign him in the summer on a free transfer, it would be a good deal for the Bears.
