John Lundstram has established himself as a key member for Sheffield United (Getty Images)
According to The Star, reported Rangers target John Lundstram is not in talks with Sheffield United over a new contract to extend his stay at Bramall Lane beyond 2021.
As per the report, Lundstram has been given a take-it-or-leave-it offer to commit his future to the club. However, there are no ongoing negotiations with the Blades.
The 26-year-old had been heavily linked with the 54-time Scottish champions throughout the summer but a move to Ibrox eventually failed to materialise. It was claimed that Rangers would wait patiently to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with the player, who will be in the final six months of his contract come January.
Born in Liverpool, John Lundstram rose through the youth ranks of Everton but never made a first-team appearance for the Toffees. He spent time on loan at Doncaster Rovers, Yeovil Town, Leyton Orient, Blackpool, and Scunthorpe United in the Football League system before completing a permanent move to Oxford United in the summer of 2015.
Lundstram made over 100 appearances for Oxford in all competitions before joining newly-promoted Sheffield United in the Championship in 2017. The central midfielder made 40 appearances in all competitions in his debut season at Bramall Lane, but only featured 10 times in the Championship in the following campaign as Chris Wilder’s side won automatic promotion to the Premier League.
The 26-year-old established himself as a key player for the Blades once again in the Premier League last term. He accumulated 5 goals and 3 assists in 34 appearances as Sheffield United secured an impressive 9th-place finish. Despite the ongoing contract stand-off, Lundstram has retained his status as a regular starter this term, starting all six league games so far.
Rangers are currently pretty well stocked in the central midfield department. They roped in South African international Bongani Zungu on a season-long loan deal from Amiens in the summer window after a move for Preston’s Daniel Johnson fell through.
The Gers have the option to sign Zungu permanently next summer, but they should keep a close eye on Lundstram’s future at Bramall Lane. The midfielder will be available to discuss terms of a free transfer in January if he doesn’t put pen to paper on a new deal over the next couple of months.
It should be a no-brainer for Rangers to try and capitalise on such a glorious market opportunity during the mid-season trading period. Lundstram’s wealth of experience across various divisions in England, as well as in the Premier League, makes him an upgrade on Zungu and a long-term successor to the ageing Steven Davis.
Moreover, a pre-contract agreement with the 26-year-old would see him join Steven Gerrard’s ranks for free ahead of the 2021-22 campaign, which wouldn’t be the case if Rangers opt to sign Zungu on a permanent deal.
Rangers might have enough quality in their midfield but a player of John Lundstram’s calibre can still walk into their starting XI. The former Everton man still has several years remaining in his prime and would be an ideal option to compete with the likes of Joe Aribo, Scott Arfield, Glen Kamara, and Ryan Jack moving forward.
All in all, it would be an almighty coup for the Gers if they manage to bring the 27-year-old to Ibrox in the near future.