Rangers’ pursuit of Jack Butland is reaching its conclusion after nearly a year. According to a report from the Daily Mail, the England international is on the verge of joining Rangers, despite previous setbacks that had suggested a collapsed deal.
Michael Beale had been exploring other options due to Butland’s wage demands. However, the situation has taken a dramatic turn, and an agreement is now within reach. It has been quite a rollercoaster ride.
The Daily Mail story mentioned that Beale had been searching for alternatives after the initial deal fell through due to salary issues. However, recent developments reveal that the 30-year-old goalkeeper has agreed to lower his wage demands after realizing Beale’s strong desire to bring him to Ibrox.
Butland himself is eager to regain regular first-team football and was willing to compromise. Currently earning £40,000 per week, he has not played a single minute this season, finding himself behind Vicente Guaita and Sam Johnstone at Selhurst Park. As a result, Butland joined Manchester United on loan in January but has been playing second fiddle to David de Gea.
The Bristol-born goalkeeper is expected to join Rangers on a free transfer when his contract with Crystal Palace expires on June 30th, thus concluding a saga that has lasted nearly a year.
Back on May 28th, 2022, a story from The Scottish Sun reported that Giovanni van Bronckhorst, the Rangers manager at the time, had identified Butland as a potential replacement for Allan McGregor.
Unfortunately, Butland suffered a broken finger while playing for Crystal Palace in a pre-season friendly against Manchester United, which sidelined him for two months and reportedly impacted his chances of a transfer, according to Alan Nixon.
Finally, after a long wait, Rangers are now on the brink of signing Jack Butland.