Given Super Jack Butland’s Rangers heroics this season, you might consider the goalkeeper’s exit unthinkable for Philippe Clement.
The Belgian manager said as much when he discussed the potential incomings and outgoings in his squad earlier in the season.
But despite that much-heralded solidity between the sticks, it appears that nothing is concrete when it comes to the future of the rock solid stopper.
Or the Rangers goalkeeper position as a whole.
In fact, as one Rangers alternative pushes for a big summer transfer, the Ibrox side are bracing for Premier League interest in Jack Butland.
Rangers brace for ‘eight-figure’ Butland bids
At least this is according to Chris Jack, who has been providing an update on Rangers’ goalkeeper situation via the Rangers Review.
Speaking about Jack Butland specifically, the report claims that Premier League interest in the goalie is ‘sure’ to resurface in the coming weeks.
This comes after Nottingham Forest had an approach rebuffed in the January window.
The report claims that any eight-figure interest – anything north of £10m – will be a ‘starting point’ in negotiations.
With a substantial rebuild on the cards at Rangers, such a figure would have to be taken seriously even if only a few weeks ago Clement was marking Butland out as indispensable.
It’s also fair to say that the stopper is in no rush to leave, although a lucrative offer south of the border and the lure of a Premier League number one jersey could prove too strong.
With Butland also missing out on the England squad for Euro 2024 despite a raft of injuries to goalkeepers down south, Southgate appeared to send a clear message regarding his status at Ibrox.
Rangers goalkeeper upheaval?
Chris Jack has also been discussing the future of Robby McCrorie, who has been the subject of reports surrounding a potential new contract.
Or more specifically, rejecting a new contract.
It is said that Rangers want their academy graduate to commit to the club with the number one jersey his to take whenever Jack Butland is to move on.
But with a string of unfulfilled promises between the sticks, a source close to McCrorie tells Jack that enough is finally enough.
With the 26-year-old strongly linked to Aberdeen, the Daily Record broke the story surrounding the goalkeeper rejecting the offer of a new contract.
Rangers are said to be willing to negotiate a loan deal but it’s clear McCrorie now wants to find a place where he can become a starter and play more football.
The situation has complicated the sounds around Jack Butland, with the current number one a potential target for Premier League sides right up until the end of the window.
Rangers have also been linked with an end-of-contract return to the club for ex-academy stopper Liam Kelly.
Chris Jack believes that any move for Kelly is predicated on what happens with McCrorie this summer.
The Ibrox side have also just released third choice goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin at the end of his contract.
