OPINION
Rangers are reportedly battling Championship duo Sunderland and QPR for Motherwell defender Ben Heneghan.
The Evening Chronicle claims that Simon Grayson’s Sunderland are weighing up a cut-price offer for the 23-year-old, who scored his first goal for Motherwell earlier this season against Pedro Caixinha’s Rangers.
However, the Gers and QPR are also said to be keen, with Heneghan now in the final year of his contract at Fir Park.
Rangers have already brought in Bruno Alves and Fabio Cardoso at centre-back this season, but could look to add more after allowing Rob Kiernan, Philippe Senderos and Clint Hill to leave the club this summer.
Since joining Motherwell from Chester last summer, Heneghan has gone on to make 50 league and cup appearances for Stephen Robinson’s side and has cemented his place in the side as one of the first names on the team sheet.
This Is Futbol considers how good a signing Heneghan would be for Rangers, and whether a deal is likely to be completed before Thursday’s 11pm deadline.
Good move for Rangers?
Heneghan proved last year to be one of the best defenders in the Scottish Premiership, as he helped the Well stay clear of relegation, playing in 37 of their 38 top-flight encounters.
Missing only one clash against St. Johnstone in March due to a yellow-card suspension, Heneghan showed that he is strong in the air as well as being more than adept with the ball at his feet.
He has continued that form this season, helping Robinson’s side keep two clean sheets in seven league and cup encounters as well as adding his first Motherwell goal against the Gers.
With his transfer fee likely to be a nominal one, Rangers would secure a bargain if they could beat Sunderland and QPR to his signature before the end of the transfer window.
This Is Futbol rating: 8/10.
Likely to happen?
Football Insider claimed that the defender had rejected the chance to extend his stay at Motherwell on Tuesday morning, ignoring a new contract extension from his current side.
With his current deal lasting only until May 2018, Motherwell must look to cash in on him now rather than risk losing him on a free in January or next summer.
English clubs would be able to lure him down south on a bosman deal in the winter transfer window if he does not agree a new deal, and that would make Motherwell much more likely to want to offload him now.
That would benefit the Gers, who could now be tempted to test the Well’s resolve and lure him to Ibrox for a cut-price fee.
This Is Futbol rating: 8/10.