Preston eye Garner bid
PRESTON will launch a £500,000 bid to re-sign Rangers flop Joe Garner.
But as the striker is chased for an Ibrox departure Mexican ace Carlos Pena has been declared desperate to check into Pedro Caixinha’s revolution. Rangers paid North End £1.8million for Garner less than a year ago but he can go for less than a third of that figure as the Portuguese manager reshapes his squad for next season.
Preston boss Simon Grayson didn’t want to lose the fans’ favourite a year ago and is now interested in taking him
back to the Championship club for a fraction of the sale price.
Ipswich are also in the running for Garner but the attacker was worshipped at Preston and would likely choose a return to his old stomping ground as Grayson hunts a replacement for his old partner Jermaine Beckford.
As Caixinha prepares for exits he’s also busy with incoming moves. Portuguese defenders Fabio Cardoso and Bruno Alves as well as Aberdeen’s Ryan Jack and Motherwell’s Louis Moult are on the hitlist.
Pena is also a target, with negotiations having started. And the midfielder’s agent last night revealed he’s hoping to tie up the move in the next few days.
Salvador Necochea has insisted the controversial Leon star is desperate to move to Scotland but has also confirmed there are other suitors chasing the international’s signature.
Necochea said: “Rangers want him because Pedro knows him extremely well and believes his game is perfectly suited to what he needs at Rangers.
“The talks are continuing with Rangers. At the moment we don’t know whether Carlos’s move will be a transfer or a loan. But we are hoping for this to be concluded in a few days.
“Carlos has a couple of options, the strongest of which is Rangers. But it is not 100 per cent yet.
“There is also one club in Mexico who are interested.
“He is excited about the transfer to Rangers, he wants to explore new horizons.
“Playing in Europe for a club who are the most important in their country appeals to him. Carlos is hoping this will come to a good conclusion for him.”
Necochea is confident Pena would qualify for a work permit despite his recent lack of international appearances.
He said: “That is an issue that needs to be resolved. But we would be confident Rangers would deal with that side of things once we complete our negotiations with them.”