Rangers have made contact with recently relegated Premier League side Stoke City over a stunning swoop for outcast striker Saido Berahino this summer, according to Football Insider.
The reliable football news website, who have broken a number of exclusives, claim that Steven Gerrard is desperately seeking reinforcements to bolster his attacking options and that he believes he can return the 24-year-old to his best form after struggling at Stoke.
The hitman managed to make just three starts in the Premier League last season and found himself cast out of the first team for the final weeks of the Potters’ doomed campaign, having cost the club £12million back in January 2017, according to Sky Sports, but is yet to find the back of the net in 30 outings for the club.
Good move for Rangers?
Berahino has gone right off the boil and it would take a miracle if he was to revive a career with Stoke.
Perhaps a change of scenery is exactly what is needed and with Gerrard building an exciting side at Rangers, he could well be the main man to fire the Ibrox side to glory.
Still, there is no guarantee he will be able to rediscover the form which convinced Stoke to splash out that much money on him a year and a half ago, and the last thing the Gers need is another misfiring hitman.
Gerrard must be absolutely convinced the young forward can turn it around before splashing out.
This is Futbol rating: 6.5/10
Likely to happen?
It all depends on what sort of fee Stoke will be asking for.
If they want to recoup most of the fee that they paid West Brom, then forget it.
Rangers are still working within strict financial limits and while Gerrard’s arrival has convinced the club to push the boat out in hopes of a revolution in Scotland, that is beyond their boundaries.
However, if the Potters want rid of him for a cheap deal, then this could be the capture that truly ignites the Light Blues’ hopes next season.
This is Futbol rating: 6/10