Rangers: Beale could ‘tempt’ 17 y/o starlet to Ibrox
Rangers boss Michael Beale ‘has something special’ and could ‘tempt’ Birmingham City starlet Jobe Bellingham to Ibrox, transfer insider Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport.
Having been appointed as the Gers’ chief last month, Beale will be handed the opportunity to bolster the squad he inherited from Giovanni van Bronckhorst when the winter window opens at the turn of the year.
According to TEAMtalk, Rangers are among a number of clubs to have set their sights on luring Bellingham away from Birmingham, who may have little choice but to listen to offers.
The report suggests the Scottish Premiership giants are facing competition from Newcastle United, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Nice and Bayer Leverkusen for the 17-year-old’s signature.
Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund have also been keen on signing Bellingham and a move to Signal Iduna Park would see him link-up with brother Jude.
Jones recently told GiveMeSport that a Rangers approach for the midfielder is ‘worth a try’, but warned a move to Germany could be more likely.
Birmingham are in a strong negotiating position as Bellingham only signed his first professional contract with the Championship side in September.
Jones believes Rangers will have to put an exciting proposal forward if they want to convince Bellingham to head to Ibrox rather than joining another of his suitors.
The journalist feels Beale could be the key as the Gers look to win the race for the Birmingham academy product.
Jones told GiveMeSport: “It’ll be interesting to hear more about what Rangers feel they can offer him because there would have to be some edge that they’d have that could give them the nod over him going to some of the big teams that are going to be in for him.
“But, certainly, Beale has something special about him that might be able to tempt someone like that to the club.”
Although Bellingham has been restricted to just one Championship start this season, according to Transfermarkt, it is clear that he has plenty of talent.
Former Rangers full-back Alan Hutton certainly wants the teenage talent to head north of the border, with him claiming: “If rumours are true, he is supposed to be better than his older brother was at that age, which is an incredible thought.
“To have someone with that potential in at the club would obviously be really exciting for everybody.”
Birmingham boss John Eustace has also hinted that more opportunities will come Bellingham’s way if he remains in the Midlands as he said: “Jobe is very level-headed, he gets his head down and he works hard. Jobe is an individual who has had a fantastic season until now.”
With the likes of fellow midfielders Steven Davis and Scott Arfield heading into the final six months of their respective Rangers contracts, Bellingham could be an exciting January acquisition.
