As we edge ever nearer the opening of the January transfer window, it is being reported that both Roma and Atalanta are keeping a weather eye on young Rangers talent, Ross McCausland.
The 20 year old Northern Ireland international winger is yet to sign a new contract with the Ibrox giants, and given his existing deal is set to expire at the end of the current 2023/24 campaign, he is free to sign a pre contract agreement with sides outside of Scotland during the January window – ergo he could potentially be available as a free agent to any Serie A suitors.
Having come through Rangers’ Academy system in recent years, he made his first team breakthrough this campaign as former manager Michael Beale gave him his debut in their October victory over St Mirren, and Phillippe Clement has stuck with him since. Since then, he has gone on to make his Scottish Premiership debut, his Europa League debut, and has featured a further five times as a substitute in the league.
During the recent international window, he also made his international debut, so his stock is clearly on the rise this year, and outlet Tuttomercatoweb, believe that the two Italian clubs are ready to capitalise on that given the slow nature of his new contract negotiations.
The youngsters versatility would certainly be an advantage to both of the sides tentatively linked with having an interest in him, as not only is he predominantly a winger, capable of playing on both sides of the pitch, but he can also operate through the middle.
Whilst a pre contract would seem to make more sense from the financial side of life, they posit that Rangers would be open to doing a deal potentially in the region of 500,000 Euros to let him leave immediately, and of course, that would give him half a season to settle into life at a new club, in a new country, hopefully start learning the language, learn tactics and start making friends and building understanding with his new colleagues, and that could prove crucial to a then later introduction.
Rangers have not given up hope of tying him down for longer, as some English Premier League clubs are also keeping an eye on things here, but it will certainly be one for fans of Roma and Napoli to keep aware of, as presumably if a new deal is not struck within the next fortnight or so, he will likely be off.
