Rangers' hopes of signing Northampton Town striker Caleb Chukwuemeka this summer have taken a blow as Tottenham Hotspur have opened talks to sign him, which suggests that Steven Gerrard and Ross Wilson will have to work fast if they want to bring the 19-year-old to Ibrox.

What's the word?

Rangers were one of the clubs linked with the young striker recently, with the Daily Mail claiming that the Gers were keen on bringing him to Ibrox, although Norwich City, Aston Villa and Club Brugge were also credited with an interest.

However, it now seems as if Tottenham Hotspur are leading the race to sign him from the Cobblers, with Football Insider suggesting that they have opened talks with the League Two club over a potential swap deal.

Despite Chukwuemeka rejecting the offer of a contract from Northampton Town, which means that he will be available on a free transfer next year, it seems as if Spurs are very keen to bring him in and have offered one of their own fringe players in order to try and secure a deal.

A blow to Rangers' chances of signing Chukwuemeka?

Although Spurs have regressed in recent seasons, they still boast some of the best training facilities in world football and are regulars in European competition, so it would arguably be difficult for Chukwuemeka to turn them down.

Northampton are in a precarious situation in terms of potentially losing one of their brightest young prospects for nothing, so they may well be tempted to accept Spurs' offer should they find a player willing to join the Cobblers on a swap deal.

Therefore, unless Rangers act quickly, they may end up missing out on Chukwuemeka, which would undoubtedly be a blow as he appears to have plenty of potential.

The 19-year-old has made 28 appearances for Northampton's senior side, contributing two goals and one assist thus far, and he is perhaps likely to be much more of a regular next season following their relegation to League Two should they keep hold of him this summer.

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The "gifted" forward - in the words of former Northampton boss Keith Curle - looks destined for bigger things, though, and if Rangers are truly keen on bringing him to Ibrox, then Wilson must act quickly to try and negotiate a deal with Northampton Town before Spurs move in for the kill.

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