14-goal Ger targeted after £165k p/w deal signals intent of big spending suitors
07/04/2024 06:30 AM
Apparently only Jack Butland isn't for sale as Rangers look to clear the decks and give Philippe Clement the sort of team capable of winning at home and of competing abroad.
The manager has seen five senior players leave already with James Tavernier and Connor Goldson both linked with moves, Cyriel Dessers attracting interest from all over Europe and Ben Davies being eyed for a return to the Championship.
In a surprising turn of events, Todd Cantwell is also being offered to clubs and, in the case of his agent Jose Enrique, he is being offered to fans groups too due to a social media faux pas.
Todd Cantwell attracting big money interest as Rangers exit looms
The playmaker might not end up in Serie A, however, according to The Sun, he could be in line for an Ibrox reunion with Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabi – of sorts anyway.
James Bisgrove has just taken over as CEO of newly promoted Al-Qadsiah and they are looking for the type of player that will allow them to compete with the big boys with Tavernier also reported to be on their radar.
That they have just signed Nacho from Real Madrid shows their intent, a cool £8.5m salary or £165,000 per week, isn’t a bad way to see out your career.
Cantwell might not be Neymar or Cristiano Ronaldo, however, he has enough in his locker to bother most Saudi Pro League defences.
A quick look at Fashion Sakala's numbers suggests that the former Norwich City favourite could cause a lot of problems in the Middle East, but in a good way.
On top form, Cantwell has a very strong case for being the best player in Scotland.
He is undoubtedly the most talented.
We all know the saying though.
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard”.
This doesn't strictly apply to Cantwell, who can never be accused of not putting in a shift, but it's fair to say that he doesn't always meet Philippe Clement's standards.
Quality never a question for Cantwell but consistency is
For whatever reason Cantwell, with 14 goals for Rangers since signing 18-months ago, just hasn't been able to maintain his best performances on a consistent basis.
Yes, he never hides, but the discrepancy between his highest and lowest quality displays simply don't make sense and must be infuriating for the manager.
The 26-year old can produce goals and assists and it shouldn't matter where he plays, either as a number eight or behind the striker.
Playing for Rangers in either role gives him the chance to get forward and make runs into the box and it took him too long to find form last season.
It can be argued that only an untimely injury to Cantwell saw Rangers title hopes begin to falter because, when Cantwell was on fire, so too were Clement's side.
There is, from the outside looking in, what appears to be a fractured relationship, and a parting of the ways could be best for both parties.
A decent sized cheque from Bisgrove would certainly make up for the mess that he left off the field this summer.
