Rangers Eyeing ‘Brilliant’ £10m Star as Russell Martin’s First Signing

Rangers could look to make a surprise move for Southampton midfielder Flynn Downes in the coming weeks, according to reports – with new boss Russell Martin potentially set to snag the midfielder from his former club in a bid to change Rangers’ fortunes on the domestic scene over the course of his contract.

Downes, 26, made 48 Premier League appearances split across his time at West Ham United and Southampton, whilst also impressing in the Championship under Martin – and a place in Europe, where he won the Europa Conference League with the Hammers – could be on the cards.

Report: Rangers Could Make Flynn Downes Move for Russell Martin

The Ibrox side have work to do on their squad if they are to succeed

The report by The Sun states that Rangers boss Martin wants to raid his old club for Downes – with Ibrox chiefs set to back the Englishman financially in a bid to close the gap between themselves and close rivals Celtic.

Rangers finished 17 points behind their Glaswegian neighbours in the league last season, and having finished eight, seven and four points behind the Hoops respectively over the past four seasons, the gap is only widening – meaning that Martin will need recruits in a bid to get close to the Scottish Premiership title.

However, there is a sticking point in any potential deal, with Southampton set to demand ‘at least’ £10million for the deep-lying playmaker, who has spent the past two seasons at St. Mary’s.

Costing Southampton an initial £15million last summer, Downes featured in 27 Premier League games last season, scoring once – but Martin knows the player well, having also managed him at Swansea City before following his gaffer to the south coast, branding him as ‘brilliant’ last season.

The midfielder could fancy a go at the Scottish top-flight instead of returning to the Championship, with Southampton only registering 12 points in the Premier League last season, but Martin won’t get a helping hand from his former employers – and with a budget of £20million to spend, Downes would cost half of his archest, which may arise as a problem with arrivals needed across the pitch.

But with Champions League qualifers to contend with, European football could swing Downes’ mind for a move north of the border.