You might have already ruled out those Rangers links to West Ham right-back Ben Johnson.
After all, with two of the club’s best players currently occupying the position in James Tavernier and Dujon Sterling, it doesn’t seem to make all that much sense.
Word on the grapevine is not only that Ben Johnson will be demanding first-team football wherever he signs this summer.
But also that the 24-year-old defender wants somewhere in the region of £60k per week, which would make him far and away the Gers’ highest earner.
Other reports claiming that Johnson’s next move will not be financially motivated have allowed the Rangers links to resurface but a Premier League switch continues to look more likely.
Only if we’re talking aspirations in the game, the latest club linked to Johnson doesn’t exactly scream ambition as Philippe Clement continues to rebuild his Rangers squad.
Rangers face Johnson transfer challenge
There are a number of clubs who have been linked with a move for Ben Johnson this summer.
Current club West Ham are said to have put improved terms on the table, whilst links to Championship promotion hopefuls Leeds United are never far away.
At the same time Rangers’ interest has always been considered ‘concrete’.
But now newly promoted Premier League side Ipswich Town have been linked with a move by the Telegraph south of the border.
Backed by the millions generated by promotion to the English top flight, the Tractor Boys can afford much higher wages than the Rangers board will sanction.
But for Ben Johnson, is a move to Ipswich Town genuinely a more ambitious move than a switch to Rangers?
For all the positive work done by Kieran McKenna at Portman Road Ipswich Town face a real challenge to stay in the Premier League next season.
Routine pastings and a yo-yo career earning big bucks between the Premier League and Championship is certainly one thing.
Such an opportunity is also not going anywhere for a player like Johnson.
But don’t try and tell us it is superior to picking up a not insignificant wage packet at Rangers to challenge for silverware, Champions League football, and a place in Ibrox history.
A move to Ibrox could also precede an even bigger switch to the Premier League.
We’re biased but if it’s a yo-yo club from England or the famous Glasgow Rangers, only one choice represents ambition in our eyes.
Rangers pursuit raises Tavernier questions
The likes to Ben Johnson – which haven’t been rubbished by anyone close to Rangers – also come at an interesting juncture for James Tavernier.
The Rangers captain has been the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia with one outlet claiming that the Ibrox captain has agreed to leave the club this summer.
After nine long years at Rangers it’s hard to imagine the club’s right-hand side without the marauding wing-back and it’ll take some getting used to if he does go.
A move for West Ham star Ben Johnson – especially given the finances involved – only really makes sense if James Tavernier is not at the club.
It’s certainly a situation to watch and if Johnson has anything about him and the choice of Ibrox is genuinely on the table, the defender has some serious thinking to do.
Similarly, so does James Tavernier.
