Sources tell us Rangers are planning for life next season with discussions with Billy Gilmour’s representatives with a view to trying to secure his services for the new campaign.

The £10M-rated Brighton man, who has had a horrific time of it ever since his Chelsea breakthrough under Frank Lampard a few years ago, desperately seeks the right challenge after struggling at Stamford Bridge under managers who didn’t favour him before a loan spell to Norwich City failed to reap any rewards either.

Chelsea then finally sold him to Brighton for £10M, in a puzzling move which didn’t seem to fit or suit Gilmour in any way, but then-manager Graham Potter was a huge fan before he himself was snapped up by Chelsea in a cruel exchange which hasn’t worked out for either man.

Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi has been a massive success at the seasiders, but this has come at the expense of Gilmour who hasn’t been in favour under the new boss at all – he can’t complain given how good Brighton have been since the Italian took charge, but it means Gilmour needs a new club.

The cost is a big problem for Rangers – Gilmour’s wages in the Premier League are around £50K a week, so he’d need to take a half cut to get in line with Rangers, and it’s down to him if he’s willing to do that.

The transfer fee is not a massive problem – Brighton are willing to cut losses on the player who isn’t part of their plans and Rangers could get him around half the amount Brighton paid Chelsea for him.

But even £5M or so is a lot of cash for Rangers, and it may be that a loan deal is more appropriate for the club given the status of our coffers and the possibility Brighton want to recoup as much as they can.

Either way, Rangers representatives are said to have talked with Gilmour’s agent to see what could be done with bringing the midfielder home to Rangers.

Will it happen? It just depends on a lot of things falling into place, but we’ll see in time if there’s any chance of it becoming more than just talks.