Rangers aiming to secure 'sensational' striker deal 'within the next 48 hours' as top target hopes soar

Reports have claimed Rangers are looking to tie up a stunning deal for a Premiership rival within the next couple of days.

Lawrence Shankland was a few minutes away from becoming a title-winning captain at Hearts last weekend before a final day defeat to eventual Premiership champions Celtic. He has been a revelation up front for the Jambos since joining in 2022 following a year in Belgium with Beerschot, playing 171 times in maroon, with 88 goals and 29 assists.

Rumours of Rangers were rife last year when he was out of contract but fresh terms in Gorgie were penned. Hearts finished second and above Danny Rohl’s side in the 25/26 term but the Scottish Sun now claim the Light Blues are making a major move to sign the 30-year-old leader from a direct title competitor.

Will Lawrence Shankland sign for Rangers?

Claims state: “Rangers are aiming to pull off a sensational deal to sign Lawrence Shankland from Hearts within the next 48 hours. SunSport can exclusively reveal the Jambos skipper is top of Danny Rohl’s list of summer signings targets. Ibrox chiefs are aiming to make the move happen this week – and get it signed and sealed before the striker jets to the World Cup with Scotland.

“Shankland, 30, is a lifelong Rangers fan. The club rejected the chance to sign him 12 months ago when he was out of contract and up for grabs on a free transfer. Negotiations with Gers now look set to finally see him join his boyhood heroes. Shankland’s stunning form at Tynecastle this season now looks set to see a deal go through.”

After rampant rumours last summer ended with Shankland staying put at Hearts, he said: "We were just talking throughout, keeping in contact and being honest with each other. I think that's the most important thing. As long as I was honest in my situation I think both sides were happy to see how things went.

What are Rangers striker options?

"I was always keen to keep that door open for myself and it was important for me that the manager was happy to do that for me as well. Because of the situation I was in, when he came in the door, the contract was coming to an end and he understood where I was at as well. That was important and the honesty between us worked out in the end. When it came to making the decision, it was an easy one to get my head around."

Currently, Youssef Chermiti appears to be Rangers’ leading number nine. While inconsistent, he has shown promise since a move from Everton last year, with Bojan Miovski and Ryan Naderi backing him up. It’s an area Rohl appears keen to bolster, however.

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