Rangers’ interest in Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Dion Sanderson does ‘make some sense’, journalist Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport.
The 23-year-old is currently enjoying a season-long loan spell at Birmingham City in the Championship, though, making any potential deal this January very complicated.
Rangers transfer news – Dion Sanderson
A recent report from The Sun claimed that Rangers could swoop for Sanderson after director of football Ross Wilson and scout John Park went to watch him play at the end of December.
However, Birmingham are also said to be keen on snapping up the centre-back, who is valued at £3 million and can also play at right-back, on a permanent basis.
And Blues manager John Eustace has poured cold water on the prospect of Sanderson departing St. Andrew’s at the halfway point of the campaign.
“[Dion] is on loan with us until the end of the season. I haven’t been made aware of anything different,” said Eustace.
"He has signed to us until the end of the season, and I am sure he will be here to the end of the season. He has been outstanding, a big miss (versus Middlesbrough), you can see that."
What has Jones said about Sanderson?
Jones has disclosed to GMS that any move for Sanderson will be ‘tricky’ given his loan status but that his ‘profile does fit’ with what Rangers manager Michael Beale is trying to build at the club.
Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know
He said: “It's a tricky one given his current loan situation, but his profile does fit with the foresight of Beale and the team around him.
“It has been expected since he came to the job that he would draw on experience and contacts within the Football League to find talent that would fit and be elevated within the SPFL. So again, with all that in mind, it does seem one that would make some sense.”
Would Sanderson be a good signing?
Sanderson has been a regular at the heart of defence for Birmingham this season, racking up two goal contributions in 24 Championship appearances.
As per WhoScored, the 6 foot 2 ace has also averaged 1.7 tackles, 1.4 interceptions, 2.5 clearances, and 3.3 long balls, placing him in the top five for each metric amongst his teammates.
Rangers are currently experiencing an injury crisis along their backline, and Sanderson’s versatility may be one of the most appealing factors to Beale.
It remains to be seen if Sanderson is available in the winter window, but he could be a long-term target for Rangers if it proves impossible to snap him up this month.