Rangers are sniffing out the chances of signing Manchester City talent Patrick Roberts in the summer transfer window, according to Sqenf Foot.
Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox outfit are understood to be keen on a loan move for Roberts as they look to sure up the Gers’ offence in search of a first Premiership title in nine years, having watched on as bitter rivals Celtic demonstrate sheer dominance north of the border.
Roberts spent last term away from the Etihad in half-season loan spells with Norwich City and Middlesbrough, but failed to impress with either having made just four first-team appearances for the Canaries before ditching Carrow Road for the Riverside Stadium.
The 5 ft 5 former England youth international enjoyed a moderately more successful spell in the north east with 11 outings and was described by former head coach Jonathan Woodgate as an “outstanding player”, but was forced to miss much of the pre-pandemic action with a serious hamstring injury.
Roberts returned from the blow to feature in all bar two of Boro’s Championship fixtures, and struck home his first goal and two of his three assists for the campaign following the arrival of Neil Warnock to replace Woodgate at the helm in June.
It remains to be seen if Roberts now departs Manchester City for another loan spell, with any temporary move away from the Etihad marking the sixth non-permanent transfer of his budding career.
Does Roberts have a future with Man City?
Yes
No
Gerrard making a move to take Roberts to Rangers would see the 23-year-old return to Glasgow having previously spent two-and-a-half years on loan with Celtic, for whom he scored 18 goals and penned 26 assists for over 78 appearances across all competitions.
During that time, the Fulham academy graduate helped the Hoops to three Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups, while making eight outings against the Gers in which he registered six assists.
Roberts joining Rangers would also see the winger given yet another chance to prove his worth to Pep Guardiola and the Man City hierarchy, having demonstrated little in 2019/20 to suggest he has what it takes to compete for minutes at the Etihad Stadium going forward.
His best chances of impressing Guardiola would come in the Old Firm derbies against Celtic, but also in the Europa League with Rangers contending for a place in the secondary UEFA competition with a Second Qualifying Round tie against Lincoln Red Imps scheduled for September 17.