Rangers could potentially have the edge in the race to bring a young striker to Ibrox this summer according to one journalist.
What's the word?
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Pete O'Rourke suggested that there is hope Giovanni van Bronckhorst can bring Cameron Archer to Rangers this summer.
The respected insider hinted that the Ibrox side's connection with Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard could aid them in their bid to sign the 20-year-old, should the Midlands outfit sanction a departure this summer.
Amid reports linking the Old Firm giants with the striker, O'Rourke outlined the role Gerrard could play: "It would definitely give them maybe increased hope that they could agree a deal between both clubs.
“There will be a relationship obviously between Gerrard and Rangers, so maybe he might be more inclined to send Cameron Archer up to Ibrox if it does come down to that, knowing what Rangers can offer the striker as well.”
That connection with their former boss could prove vital in helping to fend off rival interest - notably from Watford - although The Athletic report that the former Liverpool skipper will take a closer look at the academy product this summer, before deciding whether or not to sanction a temporary exit.
GvB will love him
That claim will be music to the ears of manager van Bronckhorst, with the Dutchman seemingly keen on the promising forward, amid the club's search for new attacking recruits.
With Cedric Itten having joined BSC Young Boys on a permanent deal and with Alfredo Morelos tipped for a departure - with just 12 months left on his current deal - the need to bolster the forward ranks has become a top priority.
In Archer, the Glasgow side have identified a talent who is seemingly only going to get better in the coming years, having begun to earn wider acclaim after a real standout campaign for both club and country.
Having joined Preston North End in a six-month loan deal in January, the £5.4m-rated gem went on to score an impressive seven goals and provide one assist in just 20 Championship outings at Deepdale, with manager Ryan Lowe left in awe by his "abundance of talent".
The £2.4k-per-week starlet followed up that eye-catching loan stint with a stunning burst of form for the England U21 side, netting four times in just four games for the Three Lions, with such form seeing him dubbed a "goal machine" by Ty Bracey.
Equally, while his role back at his parent club has been limited thus far, the Walsall-born ace has still managed to net a remarkable four goals in just six games for Villa at senior level, notably scoring a terrific header in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup back in September.
It would seem then that the lethal marksman is set to kick on even more if handed regular game time next season, with Van Bronckhorst and co potentially able to offer valuable minutes at a top-level club, as they juggle European and domestic duties.
As for the former Feyenoord boss - who replaced Gerrard in the dugout back in November - having such an exciting weapon in his arsenal such as Archer can only be a positive.