Why Rangers should continue their pursuit of Rayhaan Tulloch
Back in May, a report from The Scottish Sun had claimed that Rangers were interested in securing the services of highly-rated West Brom youngster Rayhaan Tulloch.
Premier League clubs West Ham and Brighton were also mentioned as potential suitors for the 19-year-old, whose contract at the Hawthorns had been due to expire this summer. However, Tulloch eventually put pen to paper on a new deal with the Baggies until the summer of 2024 before heading out on loan to Doncaster Rovers in League One.
Profile
Born in Birmingham, Rayhaan Tulloch rose through the youth ranks of West Brom and burst on to the scene in the U-18 Premier League during the 2016-17 season. He bagged 12 goals in 11 outings in the 2017-18 U-18 PL before establishing himself as a regular fixture for the Baggies at the U-23 level.
Tulloch, who made his first-team debut in an FA Cup tie against Brighton in January 2019, plundered an impressive 9 goals and 4 assists in 14 appearances in the Premier League 2 last season. The 19-year-old has made 5 senior appearances for the Baggies so far while also representing England at U-17 and U-18 levels.
Rangers would benefit from Tulloch’s potential
Tulloch’s situation at West Brom has changed in recent times, with the youngster signing a new deal before going out on loan to further his development. The 19-year-old is unlikely to be available for a transfer in January unless something drastic happens, but Rangers should make a renewed attempt to sign him when he returns from his loan spell next summer.
The teenager might only have made a handful of senior appearances for West Brom but his prolific record at the youth and reserve level lies testament to his vast potential. Tulloch has been tipped for a bright future and it’s a no-brainer that Rangers completing a deal for him would hand a significant boost to their long-term plans moving forward under Steven Gerrard.
The Gers are currently well-stocked in their striking options, with Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe, Cedric Itten, and Jermaine Defoe all competing for places in the ranks at Ibrox. However, Gerrard will eventually need to think about reshuffling his attack in the foreseeable future, with Defoe nearing his twilight at 38 and Morelos continuing to attract interest from elsewhere.
To that end, Rangers should look to sign Tulloch with one eye on the future. He’s not quite the finished article just yet but is ready to make a transition to senior football after proving his worth at the U-23 level. Gerrard should, therefore, look to gradually phase him into the first-team mix over the next few years.
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Verdict
Rayhaan Tulloch certainly won’t be available on a free transfer if Rangers opt to reignite their interest in the teenager next summer. West Brom are now very much in a strong negotiating position over his future after he signed a new deal, so the Gers will need to loosen their purse strings if they are to entertain hopes of prising him away from West Midlands.
However, the 19-year-old should be worth the outlay, and Rangers could have a gem on their hands if they manage to bring him to Ibrox next summer.
