OPINION
Harry Forrester is reportedly set to leave Rangers this summer on a free transfer after plummeting down the pecking order at Ibrox.
Sky Sports Transfer Centre reported on Thursday morning (10.43am) that the 26-year-old would be allowed to leave for nothing, despite rejecting a move to League One outfit Southend earlier this summer.
It is said that the former Doncaster playmaker believed he still had a chance of first-team football under Gers boss Pedro Caixinha, but the Portuguese manager has since told him to find a new home.
Forrester wants a move to England’s second tier with Charlton previously holding an interest, but he would also be open to offers from League One which could see Southend reignite their move.
Here, This Is Futbol considers whether selling the attacker is good business for Rangers, and whether the departure of Forrester is something that we are likely to see:
Good move for Rangers?
Caixinha has brought in plenty of new talent to the Rangers side, but is still without a proper number 10 other than Niko Kranjcar who remained injured for the majority of the 2016-17 campaign.
Kenny Miller occupied that role against Motherwell on Sunday, but is preferred as a striker and although Kranjcar is returning from injury, cover is required with Carlos Pena and Graham Dorrans better used in a deeper role.
Forrester is naturally gifted in such a role and proved that in his first three Scottish Premiership outings last season, scoring two goals against Dundee and Motherwell as well as an assist against Hamilton.
The playmaker has been unfairly treated at Ibrox and although it now seems obvious that he is leaving, the Gers would benefit from giving him a second chance.
Allowing him to leave for nothing is also a poor move, with Forrester easily worth the same kind of money that was paid for Joe Garner and Martyn Waghorn.
This Is Futbol rating: 3/10.
Likely to happen?
The player wants the move, the club are willing to sell for nothing and there are said to be interested clubs.
A move away from Auchenhowie then seems like it will go through, but with only three weeks remain in the transfer window which means any interested parties will have to act quickly.
A handful of players suffered by failing to secure a move before the window slammed shut last season, including Michael O’Halloran, who was forced to watch from the sidelines for the majority of the 2016-17 campaign.
But Forrester seems to be willing to move on in the near future, and will be hoping the likes of Charlton and Southend become interested in his services once again.
This Is Futbol rating: 9/10.