JUVE TARGET
Italians eyeing up Kamara but Rangers want £8million
ITALIAN giants Juventus are monitoring the form of Glen Kamara with a view to making a surprise move for the Rangers midfielder.
Alerted to the Finland international when he shone against the Italy midfield in the Euro 2020 qualifiers, the Serie A leaders have registered an interest with the Ibrox club.
However, Rangers’ insistence on holding out for a bumper fee of £8million for the former Arsenal starlet is likely to prove a significant stumbling block.
Manager Steven Gerrard has publicly stated that none of his main players will be sold during next month’s transfer window and it is understood the Italians would not be willing to pay over the odds for someone they would initially view as a squad man.
Maurizio Sarri’s pool boasts a gifted but ageing set of midfielders and Kamara, 24, has been identified as a potential project player.
In addition to his performances in helping Finland qualify for a first-ever major tournament next summer, Kamara has raised his profile with Rangers in the Europa League, where he has started every game for Gerrard’s Group G leaders.
The player is understood to be happy and settled in Glasgow and Gerrard has intimated the club would be keen to explore the possibility of a new contract.
However, with Rangers running significant losses, the club’s board would be duty-bound to consider any concrete cash offers — especially one which would allow the club to hang on to top scorer and prize asset Alfredo Morelos for longer.
Prised from Dundee for just £50,000 during last season’s winter window, Kamara could potentially generate a quick and hefty profit for Rangers.
English clubs Leeds, Crystal
Palace, Brighton and Bournemouth have also been linked with the player.
Going into this afternoon’s Premiership clash against Hearts, Gerrard has moved to defend Kamara’s team-mate Scott Arfield as he deals with a marked drop in form.
The manager admits Arfield, an influential figure during his first season in charge, has been struggling with a personal issue.
Arfield has been unable to replicate the performances that delivered 12 goals from an attacking midfield role following his transfer from Burnley last season and he has slipped to the role of substitute in Rangers’ last three Europa League fixtures.
Going into today’s Premiership clash with Hearts at Ibrox, Gerrard insists the 31-yearold deserves his patience and support.
‘Scott will be the first to admit that he’s maybe not hit the heights of last season,’ said the Ibrox boss. ‘For a few weeks, he’s had a situation rumbling on off the field that is his private business. He’s had a tough few weeks.
‘Fans don’t see that kind of thing and I don’t want to divulge too much of his private business.
‘But it’s my responsibility to protect Scott. That’s what I try to do when a player has a situation where they’re not themselves.
‘He’s still very much part of our plans and I really appreciate what he’s given us since he came through the door, on and off the pitch.
‘We won’t turn him away. What I’ll say about Scott Arfield is that he’s always there for you.
‘Other people might have stayed away from the place, so fair play to him. He’s some man.’
Gerrard acknowledges that fatigue could also be a factor in Arfield’s dip. He captained Canada at the Gold Cup through the month of June before joining up with his club-mates for the first round of Europa League qualifying in mid-July.
‘Only Scott can answer the question of how he feels and whether last summer has had an effect on him,’ said Gerrard. ‘But he set such high standards last year. Towards the end of the campaign, he was on fire.
‘Scott is one we trust. We’ll stay with him and keep believing he’ll get back to his best form.’