Rangers are close to securing a deal for Blackpool wonder kid Tony Weston.
The Ibrox club are keen to snare the striker, who recently made his debut for the Seasiders in the FA Cup at just 16.
And MailSport believes Light Blues boss Steven Gerrard could play a key role in luring the teenager to Glasgow.
Liverpool-born Weston can’t sign a professional
contract for English League One outfit Blackpool until he turns 17 in September but the rules in Scotland are different.
That’s why Rangers director of football Ross Wilson is determined to make a move for the talented teenager this summer.
Weston rattled in 14 goals for Blackpool’s youth team at the start of last season before being
promoted to the first team by former manager Simon Grayson.
In November, he was named on the bench for an EFL Trophy tie before coming on as a sub against Maidstone United in the FA Cup.
Blackpool’s academy player of the year has already been linked with moves to Leeds, Everton and Wilson’s former club Southampton.
The St Mary’s club were reportedly ready to pay £250,000 for him earlier this term but Rangers could steal a march, with Gerrard’s influence, for a player highly rated by Grayson, before he was sacked by the Seasiders in February.
Speaking after Weston’s debut in December,
Grayson said: “I’ve not stopped talking to my staff about him since I watched him in a reserve game.
“He’s got 30-year-old lads behind him in the warm-up and I’ve never known a 16-year-old lead with stuff like that.”
Rangers have already signed Ianis Hagi for £3million this summer, as well as tying up a deal for Leicester City’s young full-back Calvin Bassey.
And MailSport understands they are also close to agreeing terms with another teenager – Ross County starlet James Graham.
Gers look to have beaten off interest from a host of top English sides for the Staggies striker, who is set to join the club’s academy.
