Out of favour Grant Hanley has already been told he can leave Norwich City with murmurs over a move to Rangers ramping up.
Philippe Clement is in dire need of defensive reinforcements this month after Dujon Sterling was the latest player from the backline to limp off in the draw with Hibs last weekend. Robin Propper has been left as the only senior centre-back available for the club with John Souttar, Leon Baolgun and Neraysho Kasanwirjo already sidelined.
Jack Butland and James Tavernier have also continued their absence from the Light Blues backline and the social media rumour mill has tipped 33-year-old Hanley with a move to Ibrox this month. Canaries boss Johannes Hoff Thorup has left the door open for an exit for the centre-back who is out of contract this summer – and has managed just four appearances so far this term.
He told the Pink Un last month: “From a selfish perspective, I want to keep him because he’s a leader and he’s a captain, and he’s a very experienced guy. He’s training well and he’s good around the young boys.
“But I can understand if he comes to me and says, ‘I want to play first team football on a regular basis’. Then, of course, we need to sit down and look at the situation.
“It also [depends] what kind of offers will he get in January, because I think we have to be as honest with him as possible and also realistic. From a selfish perspective I would like him in the group, but I can definitely understand if something comes up that you want to look at it.”
The path to Ibrox is reportedly clearing with The Lanarshire Telegraph stating if would be “difficult” for the Scotland cap to fit in to Blackburn Rovers signing model as it’s “unlikely he’d ever agree to a short-term deal.” Sheffield United have also been tipped with a move – and another defender rapidly gathering attention is Watford’s Ryan Porteous.
Hull City are said to be interested in a deal for the 25-year-old. The Hull Daily Mail report the English Championship side are on alert with Porteous “on his way out” of Vicarage Road.
Former Rangers’ hero Craig Moore reckons that the former Hibs man is someone the Light Blues will be looking at, telling Go Radio: “He knows the domestic game inside out. If he is not playing at Watford. Look, those type of players are certainly one to consider for me.
“If they are not getting game time down south. Not a bad option at all. We know he would be absolutely fine up here.
“He’s not going to run into anything that he isn’t aware of. He’s seen it and experienced it. Naturally left-sided I am sure and quite physical. He will be one of a few options I am pretty sure Rangers will be looking at.”
Elsewhere, a move for Marseille defender Bamo Meite appeared to be off the table with the centre-back suffering an injury. However, reports in France suggest that Rangers are still keeping tabs on a loan move for the £9m man – who only made the permanent move to the Stade Velodrome last summer.
La Tribune report that a temporary switch is being “worked on” by the Premiership side. It is said RC Lens and Montpellier are also keen on the player.