Many a Rangers supporter was hoping for a squad overhaul this summer.
And their wishes have certainly been answered. We’re only at July 1st, and five new faces have arrived at Ibrox already.
After landing Jefte Vital and Clinton Nsiala while bringing Oscar Cortes back to Glasgow – with a £4 million purchase clause in the RC Lens-owned winger’s contract this time – Rangers also snapped up a pair of proven Scottish Premiership operators in Connor Barron and Liam Kelly.
Signing number six, meanwhile, might not be too far away either.
The Scotsman reported at the start of June that Reuell Walters was a target.
Arsenal were hoping to keep the powerful 19-year-old. But having turned down a number of contract offers, The Gunners finally accepted defeat while confirming that Walters will be leaving the Emirates Stadium on a free transfer.
Arsenal confirm exit of Rangers target Reuell Walters
“Young pros Reuell Walters and Amario Cozier-Duberry have left the club,” reads a statement provided by Arsenal’s official website.
Walters joined Arsenal’s academy back in 2020 after a spell at North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. He then signed a professional contract two years later. And while Walters would never make a first-team appearance under one-time Rangers midfielder Mikel Arteta, he was obviously very highly regarded behind the scenes.
Walters, who has featured for England at Under 20 level, made Arteta’s matchday squad nine times in the Premier League and Champions League last season.
Rangers may now look to step up their pursuit. Especially after Philippe Clement’s side missed out on another free-agent defender in Ben Johnson, who swapped West Ham United for Ipswich Town instead.
Like Johnson, Walters is a versatile, right-footed defender. Comparisons may be drawn with Dujon Sterling – one of the big success stories of the Mick Beale-driven recruitment drive – given Walters’ ability to play at centre-half, at full-back or even further forward in midfield.
Mikel Arteta is an admirer
“I like so much (the) centre-back Reuell,” Arsenal’s £30 million man Oleksandr Zinchenko said after watching Walters closely in training, via The Scotsman.
“I think the qualities he has, he is aggressive. I swear to God, one time he pushed (Brazil international striker) Gabriel Jesus in a shoulder-to-shoulder. It is not easy to push Gabriel because he is very strong.
“And he was confident on the ball afterwards. He kept the ball well and passed. Wow.
“He impresses me I think the most (of all Arsenal’s youngsters).”
Arteta, meanwhile, highlighted Walters, Ethan Nwaneri and Lino Sousa as three players with a big future ahead of them in the club game back in December.
“Three big prospects,” Arteta said, via Goal, including Walters in his squad for that Champions League group-stage clash with PSV Eindhoven.
“We want to keep developing players from our system. They deserve to be here. We want to start to give them some experience because they have the talent to hopefully be very close to us. We will try to give them the opportunity if we can.”
