If you place Arnaud Bodart up against Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland, then there’s probably no contest.
The 31-year-old Ibrox stopper has been a revelation this season with his immense shot-stopping ability and command of the 18-yard box keeping Rangers in the treble hunt.
Jack Butland has been so good for Rangers in fact that the goalkeeper has even been named in the PFA Team of the Year.
Standard Liege stopper Arnaud Bodart is a lesser known quantity and hasn’t got quite the pedigree of the Rangers goalie.
But according to the latest reports coming out of Belgium, the 26-year-old goalkeeper could be about to have a massive impact on the future of the current Rangers number one.
Bodart ‘beckons’ for Bears
You might remember Arnaud Bodart being linked to Rangers earlier in the season.
Reports in Belgium had suggested that the Gers were one of a number of potential suitors for the Standard stopper.
But after one Belgian journalist shot down the reports, Rangers’ heart rates returned to normal with regards Jack Butland.
Until now.
Another report coming out of Belgium – this time from Voetbal Belgie – has suggested that not only are Rangers interested in Arnaud Bodart, but that they’re full on leading the pack to sign him.
The report claims that a transfer to Rangers ‘beckons’ this summer with Standard hoping to recoup as much as €4m (£3.4m) for their current number one.
Describing the switch as a ‘dream’ move, the report claims that Bodart will leave Standard this summer with Rangers the likely destination.
Contracted to the Belgian side until 2025, Ligue 1 Strasbourg are mentioned as long-term suitors whilst Old Firm rivals Celtic and Premier League Luton Town are also reportedly interested.
Butland bound to beat it from Ibrox?
What does that mean for Jack Butland?
Well, we don’t have to tell you that with Robby McCrorie also propping up the Rangers squad that the club would not be making such a move to have all three goalkeepers on their books.
With Jon McLaughlin nailed on to leave the club in the summer, you’d imagine Ibrox Academy prospect Kieran Wright is primed to step into the third slot in the squad.
So if this report is on the money – and we’ve seen transfer stories around Rangers fizzle out in the past – then it appears change is coming in the goalkeeping position this summer.
It would also be very strange for Rangers to spend over £3m on Arnaud Bodart when Jack Butland is the clear number one between the sticks.
With that in mind – and considering Nottingham Forest’s interest in January – it would suggest that Rangers are bracing for bids for the England hopeful in the summer.
If that’s the case, then perhaps a move for Arnaud Bodart does make sense on a couple of levels.
Bodart is a former teammate of fellow Belgian star Nicolas Raskin and whilst Rangers manager Philippe Clement doesn’t want a ‘Belgian colony’, his backroom staff has an increasingly Flemish flavour.
Rangers have also routinely looked at the Pro League as they’ve looked to bolster their squad in recent seasons.
