A minor update has emerged on Glasgow Rangers and their pursuit of a deal to sign a new attacking midfielder in the January transfer window…
What’s the talk?
Football Scotland’s Mark Hendry (via Ibrox News) has claimed that talks are ‘ongoing’ as the Light Blues attempt to secure the transfer of Todd Cantwell from English side Norwich City.
The report claims that the former England U21 international midfielder could arrive in Glasgow before the end of the month as the club are in discussions over a deal to bring him up to Scotland.
Ahead of Norwich’s last competitive match, manager David Wagner confirmed that the dynamo has no future at Carrow Road and that he is in talks to seal a move away from Norfolk: “I think there is no secret, he will not be involved, for sure, he is having conversations with clubs.”
Paul Gascoigne 2.0
The Light Blues could land their next Paul Gascoigne by securing a deal to sign Cantwell from the Championship side before the window slams shut.
During his time at Ibrox, the legendary attacking midfielder scored 52 goals in 106 appearances for the Light Blues as he made a huge impact at the top end of the pitch.
The former Tottenham magician was once referenced as the archetypal number 10, alongside Eric Cantona, who has an arrogance about his play by coach Rene Girard and Cantwell fits that mould.
Former Gers and Canaries star Graham Dorrans recently compared the midfielder to England international James Maddison and brought up that specific aspect of their respective styles, saying:
“Todd came through at Norwich with James Maddison. They both had that wee bit of arrogance about them coming through. James has backed that up with the career he’s had.
“The two of them always had great ability. The last couple of seasons haven’t gone the way Todd would have hoped, but I’ve no doubt about his talent. But he’s only 24, so he can still get to that level.”
The Yellows wizard has struggled, with no goals or assists, in the last 18 months but his form for Norwich in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 campaigns indicates that he has the quality to be a Gascoigne-like figure in midfield for Rangers.
Cantwell delivered six goals and two assists in the Premier League in 2019/20 before leading his side to promotion out of the Championship with six goals and six assists in 30 starts in 2020/21.
Of course, there is no guarantee that the 24-year-old, who was once hailed as “exceptional” by reporters Connor Southwell and Matthew Mohan, will reach those levels again but his age, Dorrans’ comments and Rangers’ interest in him indicate that he has the potential to rediscover his goalscoring touch.
Therefore, the gem could be the next arrogant, in a good way, English number 10 to arrive at Ibrox and make a big splash in the Premiership by consistently delivering goals from the middle of the park.