Rangers to rival Frank Lampard for outbound Sunderland player as another transfer gets 'here we go' treatment

Rangers are looking to press on with their advances on an outbound Sunderland player - as the Lawrence Shankland deal nears conclusion.

The Ibrox club are adopting a shopping at home approach in the first summer transfer window under head coach Danny Rohl. That doesn’t mean they won’t look elsewhere and Dan Neil is one player who was rumoured to be on the radar in January with his Sunderland future in doubt.

He eventually joined English Championship side Ipswich Town on loan until the end of the season but it was also confirmed that he’d leave the Black Cats once his deal expires this summer. A permanent move to the Tractor Boys who have been promoted to the Premier League has not been cemented and now it’s claimed Rangers could swoop in. Frank Lampard’s Coventry City stand as competition after they won the Championship and earned a crack at England’s top flight.

Who could Dan Neil sign for this summer?

Transfer journalist Alan Nixon claims via Patreon: “Rangers are set for talks with midfielder Dan Neil about joining them on a free transfer. Neil has been an Ibrox target before but went to Ipswich on loan when he left Sunderland in January.

“The experienced star is unlikely to stay with the Tractor Boys and will be keen to speak to Rangers about a contract. Neil has come through the ranks at Sunderland and helped them win promotion a year ago but was overlooked in the Premier League. The chance to play for an SPFL giant and have a shot at European football may sway his decision. Coventry have also been keen.”

Neil said of joining Ipswich in January “I’ve been at Sunderland for a very long time and it was an unbelievable chapter in my life and career but I’m ready for the next chapter now. After a lot of thought, it was clear Ipswich would be the perfect fit for that. The way the manager wants to play football and the way I like to play is the same, basically, and it’s a great fit for me to keep developing as a player while hopefully also achieving some success here.

Lawrence Shankland to Rangers latest

“I’m a central midfielder who likes to get on the ball and tries to dictate games as much as I can. But I’ve also learnt over the years that the out-of-possession stuff is just as important, especially in this division. I’m vocal in terms of organising the team and those are probably my main qualities. I can’t wait to get started.”

Meanwhile, a deal for Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland is nearing a completion, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. It emerged on Saturday night that the Gorgie talisman had again emerged on Rangers’ shortlist after being snubbed as a free agent option last summer but now it’s been given Romano’s ‘here we go’ tag with the deal almost done.

Romano stated via X: “Rangers have agreed deal to sign Lawrence Shankland from Hearts, here we go! Paperwork now signed and Shankland set to be announced as new Rangers player.”

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