Rangers' hopes of signing Jerry Yates this summer have taken a significant blow after Blackpool earned promotion to the Championship through the League One playoffs, which will surely decrease the chances of him joining up with Steven Gerrard at Ibrox ahead of next season.

Rangers were first linked with a move for the former Swindon Town man by The 72 back in April, with a number of Championship sides also said to be interested in signing the 24-year-old striker, who could well have been the long-term replacement for the ageing Jermain Defoe.

Yates was a key player in Neil Critchley's side this season, contributing 21 goals and eight assists in 47 League One appearances, which helped him average an impressive 6.92 rating from WhoScored.

This saw him finish as the third top scorer in England's third tier this season, so it is no surprise that he is being linked with a move away from Bloomfield Road.

However, after the Tangerines registered a 2-1 win against Lincoln City on Sunday afternoon to seal a return to the Championship, it may prove difficult for any interested sides to prise him away from Blackpool this summer.

The English striker still has two years left on his contract at the North West club which suggests that Rangers may well be forced to pay over the odds if they are keen on bringing him to Ibrox this summer.

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Blackpool boss Critchley was full of praise for Yates earlier in the season, saying:

“Considering the start he had to the season, which was similar to the team, the goalscoring record since then has been top drawer.

“He’s looking really on form, full of confidence and we brought him off at the end just to save him a little bit. But he’s bang in form and if we keep him on the pitch and he stays fit, then hopefully he can add to his tally because 20 goals is a fantastic achievement for him.”

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He will be desperate to keep his top scorer at the club ahead of the Championship 2021/22 campaign and therefore, Blackpool's recent promotion is a huge blow to Gerrard's chances of signing him this summer and finding a potentail heir to Defoe.

And, in other news... Wilson heading for Rangers transfer disaster with £20m flop who "can't run"