The heart rate of Rangers fans might well have been raised amid reports of interest in Belgian goalkeeper Arnaud Bodart.
The Standard Liege stopper, 26, is a talented goalkeeper and it’s been claimed Rangers, Celtic, and Premier League Luton Town are all keeping tabs on him.
With the price fixed at €4m (£3.4m) it would represent a substantial outlay in the position and whilst Arnaud Bodart is talented, he’s no Jack Butland.
The news had Rangers fans fearing the worst when it comes to their number one, who was the subject of England manager Gareth Southgate’s gaze at the recent Old Firm derby.
But the latest coming out of Belgium appears to suggest that those Rangers links to Arnaud Bodart are a little premature with the Gers’ transfer focus in other areas of the park.
Arnaud Bodart is not a Rangers goalkeeper target
At least that’s according to Belgian transfer journalist Sacha Tavolieri, who has been responding to the Arnaud Bodart Rangers links on X.
Claiming that sources have confirmed that there is no concrete Rangers interest in the goalkeeper, the comments pour cold water on the earlier transfer reports.
But the tweet will also boost hopes that Rangers can hold on to stopper Jack Butland, who was subject to Premier League interest from Nottingham Forest in January.
Tavolieri said:
“Rangers FC Family! There’s NO current interest by the Scottish club for the Belgian goalkeeper Arnaud Bodart.
“Goalkeeper sector isn’t a priority to reinforce for this summer. Sources denied the news.”
Interestingly, whilst the links to Rangers have been denied Arnaud Bodart has admitted he could be set to leave Standard Liege.
The stopper has previously claimed he has “ambition” to play at the highest level.
Jack Butland to stay at Ibrox?
Rangers are currently well-stocked in the goalkeeper position so the links to Arnaud Bodart were certainly interesting.
The Ibrox side obviously have England hopeful Jack Butland as their undisputed number one option.
The nine-times capped Three Lions goalie has been a revelation at Rangers since signing a four-year deal in the summer and there is expected to be interest in his services.
Reports have suggested Rangers could demand up to £15m for the goalkeeper and if someone coughs this up it’ll be hard to see the Gers turning it down.
But with Butland finally finding a number one jersey in Glasgow and plenty still to achieve at Rangers, something tells us we’ll get at least another year out the stopper.
Rangers also have Robby McCrorie on their books, the 26-year-old Scotland hopeful long-touted as a long-term Ibrox number one.
If Jack Butland was to leave the club, and Rangers splashed out on Arnaud Bodart to replace him, it probably sends a message to McCrorie that his future lies elsewhere.
Finally, the club also have out-of-contract Jon McLaughlin propping up the squad, whilst Academy graduate Kieran Wright is a talented stopper in his own right.
Interestingly, whilst the links to Arnaud Bodart fizzle out, Rangers continue to look at Belgium both on and off the pitch.
