Exclusive: Fleetwood in advanced talks to sign ex-Ibrox player who Barton knows very well

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Published on:

08 Jul 2019, 8:27 am

EXCLUSIVE By Pete O'Rourke

Fleetwood Town are in advanced talks to sign free agent goalkeeper Matt Gilks after impressing Joey Barton at Rangers and Burnley, Football Insider understands.

Gilks, 37, has been training with Fleetwood during pre-season after his contract expired at Lincoln earlier this summer.

A source with knowledge of the player's situation has told Football Insider that Fleetwood have offered the experienced keeper a deal to move to Highbury and terms are close to being agreed.

Gilks has caught the eye in training of of Fleetwood boss Joey Barton, who was already an admirer of him from their time together at Rangers three years ago.

Barton is convinced that Gilks has the attitude and experience to be a valuable to his promotion-hunting League One side in the upcoming campaign.

The goalkeeper impressed during his stay at Lincoln last season, helping them win promotion from League Two and the Imps are keen to bring the Gilks back to Sincil Bank.

However, Fleetwood have jumped into pole position to land former Scotland international Gilks, who has accumulated extensive Football League experience during his career.

In other Rangers news, it can be REVEALED that the club are in pole position to sign a player tipped to ‘be worth £20million next year’.

Rangers

Fleetwood Town