Rangers have set their sights on signing Millwall centre-back Jake Cooper as manager Steven Gerrard looks to add new defenders to his squad with Bruno Alves edging closer to joining Parma, according to the Express.
The newspaper claims via their website that Cooper, 23, tops Gerrard’s wishlist and the Gers are ready to splash a seven-figure fee worth over £1million for the 6ft 5in (transfermarkt) colossus – but still offering lower than Millwall’s valuation.
It is understood that Alves, 36, has travelled to Italy to hold talks with Parma and Gerrard wants to use a formation that utilises a back-three next season, so he is looking to Cooper to add extra depth on top of summer signings Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic.
Good move for Rangers?
Cooper looks as though he would be a very handy addition at Ibrox.
The 23-year-old former England youth international was a key part of the Millwall side that came close to the Championship play-offs last season, appearing 42 times across all competitions, scoring four goals and supplying three assists in the process.
At 6ft 5in tall, he is hard to beat in the air and a nuisance for opposition defences at set-pieces.
He is also a left-sided centre-back, so signing him up this summer would be a very clever move by Gerrard and director of football Mark Allen.
This is Futbol rating 9/10
Likely to happen?
Millwall are unlikely to want to sell Cooper this summer due to the key role that he played in Neil Harris’ defence last term.
It seems as though the Gers would only offer the London club a sum that is lower than their valuation, so it’s hard to see why they would accept.
Rangers do need one or two new centre-backs though, especially if Gerrard wants to use a back-three.
This is Futbol rating 6/10