Sensational Rangers triple swoop on the cards as Gerrard lines up £65K-a-wk PL goal machine - report
By Richard Parks
Rangers are lining up a sensational triple swoop for proven Premier League players Jermain Defoe, Lucas Leiva and Martin Skrtel, according to a report.
The Scottish Sun claim manager Steven Gerrard wants the big-name trio who he knows well from his Liverpool and England days to strengthen the spine of the Light Blues team next season.
It is said that Gerrard is eyeing a one-year loan for striker Defoe, who has two years left on his £65,000-a-week Bournemouth contract, as well as reunions with centre-back Skrtel and central midfielder Lucas.
Football Insider verdict:
Signing players of the calibre of Defoe, Lucas and Skrtel would be astonishing for Rangers, and a stunning statement of intent. Indeed, it qualifies as a gamechanger that the club are even in the market for such outstanding talent with the type of CVs not seen at Ibrox for over a decade. Landing Scott Arfield and Allan McGregor this week were smart moves, battle-hardened warriors who will walk into the starting XI and give it a tougher edge. Defoe, Lucas and Skrtel are on a different level, entirely. It would need all Gerrard's levels of persuasion to get the deals done, especially the one for Defoe, who remains a goal machine despite celebrating his 35th birthday last October. Ex-Liverpool men Lucas, 31, and Skrtel, 33, are also at the veteran stages of their careers, but their quality is undeniable, and they would have no problem dealing with the unique pressures of playing for Rangers, something that cannot be said for many of the signings of recent years.