Wednesday, July 16, 2008

MONARCH of the GLENN - Loovens to Rangers?

Today’s Daily Express are reporting that talks have taken place between Scottish SPL side Rangers and Cardiff City over The Bluebird’s commanding centre-half Glenn Loovens with the value reckoned to be circa £3M.


Rangers have been trying to snag Danny Shittu from QPR but that deal, valued at about £1.5M, has stalled by player greed with Shittu asking for a reported £25,000 a week so the Glasgow giants have turned their attention to Loovens.

Glenn has been offered a new and improved 2 yrs contract extension by City with his present deal expiring next summer but is holding out with a view to moving to the Premiership, his interest aroused by rumours of new boys Hull City and Stoke City showing interest in him but no bid has yet to materialise.

City’s failure to tie him to a new contract would see his value decrease over the season and mean he could walk away for nothing next summer so they may be forced to deal now. The SPL may not be as glamorous but Rangers offer the attractive carrot of Champions League football which may well appeal to the Dutchman.

There is no doubt Cardiff City are a better defensive side when Loovens plays – the stats of points gained and fewer points conceded bear overwhelming testimony to that. The centre-half partnership of Loovens and Roger Johnson is pivotal in the City side and probably the best in the Championship. Losing Loovens on top on Aaron Ramsey would be yet another bodyblow to City fans particularly when we seem unable to bring in adequate replacements or improvements but that’s the game these days.

Cardiff, apparently, have tried to use the talks top broker another move for original striking target Kris Boyd but Rangers have refused again to sell according to the Express but this morning’s Western Mail believes a ‘swap’ involving Loovens, Boyd and some cash adjustment may still be possible. Another linked target at Rangers, their forward Cousins, is apparently also being dismissed, partly due to the player’s unrealistic contract demands.

This appears to be a story that will develop – watch this space.

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