Former Rangers defender Michael Ball has backed Steven Gerrard to bring Sheffield United midfielder John Lundstram to Ibrox this summer.
Rangers were heavily linked with the former Oxford United man in January and they could now sign him on a free transfer after it was announced that he will leave Bramall Lane on the expiry of his contract this summer.
Ball seems to think that he would be a stellar addition to Gerrard's squad ahead of next season, as he told ThisisFutbol:
“He’s had an up and down career for a long time. But he has that drive and willingness to do it at Rangers at that level, and he’s got the work rate to go with it.”
Reports in January claimed that Lundstram would want £40k per week at Rangers, which would comfortably make him the highest-paid player at Ibrox, with Alfredo Morelos' £33k per week reportedly the highest of any player in Gerrard's current squad.
However, a lack of offers ahead of the summer may well cause the £6.3m-rated Lundstram to lower his expectations ahead of next season, as he will be keen to find himself a new club ahead of pre-season and after a less than impressive campaign with relegated Sheffield United, he may well need to lower his salary expectations.
The 27-year-old made 28 appearances in the Premier League last season, contributing no goals and two assists, which helped him to average a disappointing 6.23 rating from WhoScored.
[snack-amp-story url="https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-rangers-transfer-rumours-and-news" title="Read the latest Rangers transfer rumours and news!"]
That represents a sharp decrease from his performances in the 2019/20 season when his five goals and three assists helped the Blades to a top-half finish in what was their first season back in the top-flight following promotion the previous season.
That form led Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp to sing his praises last year, saying:
“He’s got all the attributes. He runs so much in a game, he provides assists and goals. He’s a real menace to other teams and a great player to have.
“He gives us a lot of energy and he got an assist as well, which is important.”
[freshpress-quiz id=“593776"]
If he were to rediscover that form at Rangers, then he could be an excellent addition to Gerrard's squad next season, so, if he does reduce his wage demands, signing Lundstram on a free transfer would be a gamble worth taking for Ross Wilson his summer.
And, in other news... Wilson signs Veerman in £19m spending spree, no Kent: How Rangers could look next season