Reliable journo drops big transfer development that'll leave Rangers supporters gutted - opinion

Rangers’ hopes of signing Joe Rothwell look to be over, with the latest reports suggesting that he is set to join Nottingham Forest on a free transfer.

Rangers have regularly been linked with the Englishman in the past few weeks, once it became apparent that he wouldn’t extend his stay at Ewood Park and would leave the club on a Bosman transfer.

The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell recently suggested that Rangers will look to bring in free transfer signings this summer and the Blackburn Rovers midfielder would have made a lot of sense for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side, considering his strong form for Blackburn in the Championship last season.

However, Football Scotland journalist Mark McDougall has now suggested that Rothwell is on the brink of joining Forest following their recent promotion to the Premier League.

Rothwell enjoyed an excellent campaign for the Lancashire side, contributing three goals and 10 assists in 41 Championship appearances, averaging an impressive 6.95 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

The Teddy Bears have found a lot of success in signing free agents from English sides in recent seasons, with the likes of John Lundstram, Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey having all established themselves as key figures at Ibrox after signing for nothing.

With Aaron Ramsey unlikely to return to Rangers next season given his current wage at Juventus, and Aribo attracting interest from elsewhere, depth in central midfield is something that van Bronckhorst will surely be keen to add this summer.

Tony Mowbray was full of praise for the 27-year-old last season, saying:

“Joe Rothwell’s threat is there for everybody to see when he plays like he did today. When he bursts past the first challenge and runs into space