Sheffield United plot move to sign Rangers ace as Celtic handed chance to sign key target
The latest transfer headlines as Celtic and Rangers prepare for busy January windows
Championship promotion hopefuls Sheffield United are understood to be in pole position to sign out-of-favour Rangers midfielder Joe Rothwell in the January transfer window.
Rangers signed the 30-year-old in the summer following the expiration of his contract at Bournemouth and was expected to be a regular under Russell Martin. He started all of Rangers’ opening three games and featured heavily in the UEFA Champions League qualifying campaign, but has since fallen completley down the pecking order under new manager Danny Rohl, with his last first team outing coming all the way back in October.
Rothwell has a wealth of Championship experience under his belt from spells at Blackpool, Blackburn Rovers, Southampton and Leeds United. He’s played over 200 matches in the second tier of English football and is seen as someone that could enhance Chris Wilder’s side after their subdued start to the campaign.
Daily Record understands the Blades are pushing to make the deal happen, adding that Rothwell is quickly emerging as a priority target. It’s not yet been disclosed how much Rangers value the central midfielder.
Derek Ferguson left ‘puzzled’ at Joe Rothwell signing
Former Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson admitted earlier this month that he was left confused at the club’s decision to sign Rothwell only to leave him rotting on the bench.
He told Ibrox News: “I’ve spoken to people, and they’ve told me he’s a good player. “When Rothwell joined, it looked to me as though he wasn’t fit enough, which is just bizarre in this day and age, given everything that goes with sports science. But he looked as though he was carrying a bit of timber, and he was being subbed off after about 55-60 minutes because he was just knackered. It’s baffling.”
Ferguson continued in a scathing verdict on Rothwell’s start to life in Glasgow: Y”ou can see there’s a player there, but is he enjoying life in Scotland? Is his family happy? There are all these different circumstances that we’re not privy to, but what he’s shown so far in a Rangers jersey has not caught the imagination.
“He’s been a really underwhelming signing, but he’s certainly not alone in that regard. For whatever reason, we’re not getting the best out of these summer signings. Whether Rohl has taken a look at them and thought ‘he’s not my type of player’, I’m not sure, but it’s puzzling.”
Celtic handed opportunity to sign key transfer target
CFR Cluj president Luliu Muresan has admitted the club could be forced into a January sale of Louis Munteanu for as low as £5.2m, according to Daily Record.
The Scottish champions were linked with Munteanu over the summer after his immense goalscoring season which saw him fire in 25 strikes in 42 appearances last term. At the time, however, the Romanian oufit valued him at £20m which was enough to fend off any potential interest from suitors.
Munteanu hasn’t hit the same heights this term with three goals in 21 appearances so far, but could still prove a useful addition for the Hoops due to his reduced price tag.