According to Team Talk, Scottish giants Rangers and Celtic are among a number of teams that are interested in signing Fran Sol. English Premier League sides Burnley, Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town, alongside Championship clubs Leeds United, Middlesbrough, Derby County and Swansea City are all interested in the former Real Madrid striker.
Sol is currently plying his trade with Willem II in the Netherlands. The 26-year-old has impressed since leaving his native Spain in the summer of 2016.
Fran Sol spent his formative years in Real Madrid’s youth ranks before making a move to Villareal. He struggled to break into the Yellow Submarines’ first-team set up before making his move abroad on a free transfer.
Considered a late bloomer, he produced 10 league goals in his first season in Tilburg. Last season, the former Spain U19 international followed it up by netting 16 goals. This season, he has already scored 12 league goals from 16 games.
Only PSV Eindhoven’s Luuk de Jong, who has netted 14 times, has more found the back of the net more regularly. It is this rich vein of form that has seen Sol appear on the radar of numerous clubs.
Celtic need a striker since summer signing Odsonne Edouard is yet to hit best since joining the Bhoys. Brendan Rodgers has also had to do without Leigh Griffiths.
The Scotland international is taking time out from football due to personal reasons. Meanwhile, rivals Rangers are shopping for a forward after terminating Umar Sadiq’s season-long loan deal. The Gers are in dire need for someone to partner Alfredo Morelos in the final third as they look to keep their title hopes alive.
With Fran Sol’s current contract set to expire next summer, Willem do have the option for a one-year extension. Cashing in may be in the club’s best interest as his value is only going to decrease over the coming months.
A move to Rangers would be ideal for the excellent finisher. Steven Gerrard is building an interesting project at the Ibrox. Although the Gers were knocked out of Europe, Sol could fit in alongside Morelos. Additionally, with his good anticipation and leap, he could be a valuable asset for Rangers coming off the bench.
With Gerrard tasked with ending Celtic’s domestic dominance, the former England midfielder could use a player of Fran Sol’s abilities. That the Gers had gone for an untested Sadiq shows that there is a place in the squad for the 26-year-old to fit in.
