"He expects..": Sky Sports journo drops big transfer claim, it's good news for Rangers - opinion

A big summer transfer claim has emerged that will impact Rangers’ plans for the upcoming window at Ibrox…

Sky Sports journalist Rob Dorsett has confirmed that Gers’ transfer target Sam Johnstone is set to leave his current club at the end of the season.

Gio van Bronckhorst and Ross Wilson are reportedly interested in bringing the shot-stopper to Glasgow and they will now be able to snap him up for nothing if they can win the race for his signature, amid stiff competition from other teams.

Dorsett Tweeted: “#mufc and #thfc to battle it out for the signature of goalkeeper Sam Johnstone in the summer. Johnstone won’t sign a new #wba contract, when it expires at the end of the season, as he seeks a return to the Premier League. Bruce said on Saturday he expects him to leave.”

This is good news for the club for multiple reasons.

Firstly, this claim means that the Gers will not have to pay a penny in transfer fees for Johnstone. His deal with West Brom runs out later this year and he will become a free agent, which means that no club will have to deal with the Baggies to agree a fee.

The only concern will be his wages, but the lack of a transfer fee will, hopefully, offset any issues with budgeting for his salary. This, therefore, is why the club will be buzzing with this update as it lowers the potential cost of a deal for the England international.

It is also great news for Rangers as they are in need of a new goalkeeper to replace Allan McGregor next season. The 40-year-old has made four errors, three directly leading to goals, in the Premiership this season – costing van Bronckhorst’s side vital points against the likes of Ross County and Motherwell, making two direct errors in the former and being beaten at his near post