OPINION
Rangers director of football Mark Allen appears to have been handed a boost in the pursuit of Bolton Wanderers’ teenage midfielder Luca Connell, after he delivered an update about his potential future.
Connell, who has come through Bolton’s academy making 12 appearances during a poor campaign for the club as they were relegated to League 1, has been tied down to a third-year on his scholarship by the club, according to the Bolton News.
Rangers have been credited with having an interest in signing Connell this summer, but are facing competition for the 18-year-old from the likes of Norwich City and Southampton, who could be sold to help ease Bolton’s financial concerns after the were issued with a 12-point deduction at the start of next season in England’s League 1 following being placed in administration, according to the Daily Mail.
Connell’s impressive form for Bolton during the final few months of the season has seen the midfielder earn a call up to the senior Republic of Ireland squad by manager Mick McCarthy, ahead of Ireland’s forthcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Denmark and Gibraltar.
The 18-year-old has now given an update regarding his future potential future ahead of the summer transfer window, and suggested that he is leaving it up to his representatives to sort out a move.
“I don’t know, I’m leaving that down to my agent. Hopefully he’s sorting that out while I’m away, seeing what’s about and what he thinks is best for me,” Connell said as quoted by the Bolton News.
That will be seen as a boost to Rangers and their director of football Allen, who could now be encouraged to make their interest in Connell more advanced than it is at this stage.
Rangers are likely to be facing heavy competition for the 18-year-old and therefore may need to act swiftly following the teenager’s comments about letting his agent sort out any deals whilst he is with the Irish national squad.
Supporters of the Glasgow club will be hoping that this boost in Rangers’ pursuit of Connell can potentially help them to secure his signature for next season, ahead of other sides who are expressing an interest in the talented midfielder.