Ross Barkley 'attendance record' sparks Rangers transfer fear as race for Chelsea free agent escalates

Craig Moore reckons Rangers could land a special signing if they move for free agent Ross Barkley.

The former Everton midfielder negotiated his release from Chelsea earlier today after being frozen out under Thomas Tuchel. They paid £15million to land him in January 2018 but he's struggled to make a splash at Stamford Bridge, spending the 2020/21 season at Aston Villa and managing just 400 minutes of football during the last campaign.

He was released by the Blues with a year to run on his contract and, now 28, he goes in search of a new club to revive his career. Rangers have been tipped as a potential destination as Gio van Bronckhorst looks to add some Champions League quality to his ranks, and they could be one option on the table - although he's likely to have several offers closer to home in the Premier League. Former Rangers defender Moore said on Go Radio: "He's only 28 years of age. Let's not forget it was only four years ago he got a move from Everton to Chelsea off the back of incredible performances at Everton.

"28 is still a very good age in football, I think he's still got a lot to offer. He most certainly will be in a very good position where he won't be short of offers, that business to get out of Chelsea is to enable him to have the best opportunity to move."

But fellow pundit Mark Guidi reckons he could prove too similar to Aaron Ramsey, who was tipped as a major Ibrox coup last season but struggled for fitness and eventually returned to Juventus having failed to make a serious mark. He said: "With Barkley, he's a wonderful talent.

"I remember at Everton, I really enjoyed watching him. Great kid, he seems like a good boy, but for Rangers, they'd be very mindful of what happened with Aaron Ramsey in