Hot on the heels of their moves towards Rangers’ Croatian Borna Barisic is the bigger surprise story that Turkish side Trabzonspor are making a move towards fellow out of contract Ranger John Lundstram.
In a story that does smack of the midfielder’s agent trying to force Rangers’ hand a bit to get the deal he wants at Ibrox, a claim is made in Turkish press that he is interesting the Trabzon giants in a double move.
They say:
“Trabzonspor has accelerated their transfer efforts for the next season. The club has stepped up its contacts for Duje Caleta-Car, who plays for England’s Southampton, and John Lundstram, who plays for Scotland’s Rangers. Aiming to add Caleta-Car, who was loaned to France’s Olympic Lyon after Southampton were relegated, to its squad, Trabzonspor also included English midfielder Lundstram on the transfer list.
Trabzonspor continues its contacts for John Lundstram, who plays for Rangers after Borna Barisic. The English player’s contract expires in 2024 and Trabzonspor is evaluating this situation. Trabzonspor, which wants to add a player from Scotland to its squad, continues its efforts to convince Lundstram.”
This is either a tangible real interest in Lunny, or his agent doing what he has to to try to encourage Rangers to step up the club’s efforts to offer a good deal.
Barisic’s agent has spoken to Trabzonspor and that one is close to secured, but the Lunny situation is more delicate.
He knows fine well that Ryan Kent’s journey to Fenerbahce was a disaster, and he will have spoken to his former team mate and of course countryman, to find out if Turkey is that bad a destination.
But we do think this is more of an agent story than a tangible interest.
That said, Lunny is a lucrative free agent and more clubs than just Rangers and Trabzonspor would want him for free this summer.
This is very much a developing story.