According to The Liverpool Echo, Everton are reportedly looking to offload long-term Glasgow Rangers target Muhamed Besic in January.

What's the word?

Besic joined Sheffield United on loan from Everton in the summer of 2019, with Chris Wilder's side having an option to buy.

But the Blades decided against signing him on a permanent basis and he returned to his parent club after his loan spell expired last year.

The Bosnia international was heavily linked with a loan move to Ibrox during the extended summer transfer window.

While a move never materialised, it looks like Rangers could potentially have another opportunity to make a move for the out-of-favour midfielder, who has been deemed surplus to requirements by Carlo Ancelotti at Goodison Park.

Imagine Besic and Glen Kamara

Steven Gerrard's Gers are well-stocked in the midfield after Ross Wilson brought in Bongani Zungu on an initial loan deal from French Ligue 2 side Amiens before the close of play on transfer deadline day.

However, there were no other additions to the midfield despite the departures of Greg Docherty, Jason Holt and Jordan Rossiter in the summer.

This means that Gerrard still has six options for three positions at least until the transfer market closes at the end of January, with Zungu, Steven Davis, Scott Arfield, Ryan Jack, Joe Aribo and Glen Kamara competing for three places behind the likes of Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itten.

However, Arfield and Jack are currently out injured, and an injury or coronavirus crisis could quickly cause some unnecessary problems, so perhaps the Ibrox boss may feel inclined to dip into the market, and he ought to do so especially with Besic now available.

The £1.8m-rated 28-year-old, who typically plays as a defensive midfielder but can also play as a centre-back or right-back, previously scored three goals and supplied six assists in 56 appearances across all competitions for Middlesbrough, via Transfermarkt. Whilst he is fully capable of slotting into place alongside the likes of Arfield and Kamara, his versatility could prove to be an added bonus.

Roberto Martinez was effusive in his praise for his former charge back in 2014 as he was quoted as saying: “He is a character who is an out-and-out Everton player.

"He can become a big legend for Everton but he is a character who is still developing and working. Sometimes you forget he is only 22, but when you the bravery and wanting to do the right things it is impressive.

“I love those sort of characters - reliable. You can build strong teams around those characters.”

This strength of character would be most welcome in the Govan side of Glasgow and to be able to snap up a player with proven Premier League experience for a snip of a price is surely a no-brainer at this stage.

AND in other news, Steve Parish must sanction Crystal Palace swoop for Jason Knight as a James McCarthy alternative...