An article on The Athletic caught my attention recently, an analysis of Burnley’s squad – one of the oldest in the Premier League – and the potential targets that they have been linked with.
The contract details of each player were highlighted and whether or not they would be expected to sign extensions or be moved on, their centre-half pairing of James Tarkowski and Ben Mee the most likely to be causing Sean Dyche sleepless nights with the duo into the last 12 months of their respective deals.
Their is one name though that will be familiar to Rangers fans and one that could have made a huge difference in the winter of 2020 had we been able to get a deal over the line – Matej Vydra.
With Alfredo Morelos struggling for goals and fitness and Jermain Defoe also on the treatment table, we ran out of form and luck as we capitulated following the winter break, we had a deal agreed with the £11million striker but because Burnley were unable to find a replacement we had to go with another option, Florian Kamberi, and we all know how that turned out.
Vydra is coming into the last year of his Turf Moor contract and is at the stage of his career where he will be looking to play more regularly, for all that we don’t need him just now, if there is a departure from our forward line, he would be the perfect target.
Yes, he is 29-years old, but not every signing has to be a “project” player, some have to be ready to contribute immediately and with 35-caps and over 100 goals between the Championship and Premier League to his name, I’d suggest that he is.