OPINION
Rangers may have just been handed a major boost to their hopes of keeping Josh Windass this summer after it was confirmed that Cardiff City have completed the signing of Bobby Reid from rivals Bristol City.
The Bluebirds announced via their official Twitter account on Thursday that Reid has successfully joined them from their Severnside rivals – and that may mean that Neil Warnock’s hunt to sign Josh Windass has come to an end.
#CardiffCity are delighted to confirm the signing of @BobbyReid93 from @BristolCity!
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— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) June 28, 2018
Windass and Reid are two very similar players.
Both are very attack-minded midfielders who like to play off other strikers, and while Reid was used more of a striker by Bristol City last season, there is a chance that Warnock will want him to play a bit deeper in order to aid his midfield as they return to the Premier League.
Cardiff had also been reportedly eyeing up Windass this summer with Express journalist Bruce Archer claiming on his personal Twitter account on Wednesday night that the Welsh club are ready to trigger a £3million release clause in the attacker’s deal at Ibrox.
It is understood that manager Steven Gerrard wants the 24-year-old to stay in Govan for next season as they aim to continue rebuilding the squad to the standard that it was before the 2012 financial meltdown.
Cardiff are poised to trigger Josh Windass’ £3m release clause #RangersFC
— Bruce Archer (@Bruce_Archer89) June 27, 2018
Steven Gerrard wants him to stay but he will be free talk to Cardiff once the offer is in #RangersFC
— Bruce Archer (@Bruce_Archer89) June 27, 2018
He scored 18 goals and supplied eight assists in 41 appearances across all competitions for the Light Blues last season and it’s vital that Gerrard hangs on to key players like him.
There is of course the chance that other clubs would become interested in Windass – especially as his father confirmed that he has that £3million release clause on Twitter – but for now, it’s a good boost for the Gers as they ready up for their Europa League qualifiers.