Michael Beale is poised to complete a deal for Chelsea defender Dujon Sterling as he bolsters his ranks ahead of the new campaign.
The Ibrox boss will overhaul his squad in the coming weeks after Rangers were once again left empty handed this term following their failed Premiership title bid and defeats to Celtic in both the League Cup and Scottish Cup.
Moves for keeper Jack Butland, who is currently on loan at Manchester United, and Norwich City midfielder Kieran Dowell are close to being announced as a host of players get set to head for the exit door this summer.
And former Chelsea coach Beale is now set to be reunited with Sterling as the 23-year-old closes in on a move north of the border after a successful loan spell in the Championship with Stoke City.
Sterling has also had stints at Coventry, Wigan and Blackpool in recent seasons and has been capped at several youth levels for England.
He made his Blues debut in a cup clash with Nottingham Forest in 2017 but will now quit Stamford Bridge to pursue his next move in the game and provide competition on either side of the Rangers defence.
Potters boss Alex Neil is keen to retain the full-back but, speaking last week, Sterling said: “I’ll know by the end of May what I’m going to do next season. I’m not really talking about anything.
“I spoke to the club and I have a meeting with the gaffer on Saturday.
“For now they know my position and they respect that I don’t really want to talk about any ongoing contracts until I’m back from holiday.
“I have enjoyed my time here this season. We have a really good bunch of players and I think we could do something next season.
The move for Sterling comes as Beale gears up for the most significant summer that Rangers have faced since he arrived at Ibrox alongside Steven Gerrard in 2018.
Keeper Allan McGregor will retire at the end of the campaign and Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos are set to leave once their Light Blues contracts expire.
Deals for Butland, Dowell and Sterling are an encouraging start to the rebuild and come ahead of the final Old Firm fixture of the campaign at Ibrox on Saturday.
Beale said: “I’m really looking forward to pre-season. You start afresh with all the hopes for the new season with new faces and ideas. New players give new ideas
“Todd has had a freedom to move around the pitch since coming in and gives the team a new idea. Nicolas is so tenacious too and I’ll be looking for new players to come in and start.
“This period now is important because it’s a huge privilege and responsibility to play for this football club.”
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