Rangers are interested in signing Bolton Wanderers defender Mark Beevers as an alternative to Jake Cooper, according to The Express.

What's the story?

The 28-year-old central defender joined Bolton in 2016 and has been ever-present at the heart of their defence ever since, making 89 league appearances for the Trotters, scoring eight goals.

Beevers is in the final year of his contract and is valued at £450,000 on Transfermarkt, so would represent a much cheaper alternative to Rangers target Jake Cooper, who is currently the subject of a stand off between Steven Gerrard's side and Millwall.

[brid autoplay="true" video="271323" player="12034" title="Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus on Football Manager"]

Experience over youth

Having racked up a wealth of experience in the Championship and League One, Beevers represents a safe option for Gerrard at the back.

He fulfils the brief of a powerful left-sided centre-back, standing at 6ft 4ins tall, and would be much cheaper than Cooper who looks increasingly unlikely to head north of the border this summer.

Beevers would do the job of marshalling the defence and his physical presence would be a great asset both in defence and from set plays.