Rangers should make a move to sign Jack Harper in January
Scottish Premiership side Rangers should try to sign Scottish striker Jack Harper, who currently plies his trade for Malaga. The Ibrox giants will be in the market for a new striker when the transfer winter transfer window opens after cutting short Umar Sadiq’s stay in Glasgow.
The Nigerian was on a season-long loan and is set to join Italian side Perugia on loan. Steven Gerrard now needs to replace the Nigerian, who struggled during his short spell at Ibrox. To that end, Malaga forward Jack Harper could be the ideal solution.
As rivals Celtic have proven over the last couple of seasons, having three strikers is important to any club looking to win the Scottish Premiership title. Rangers are second on the log with 38 points from 19 games. At the top of the table, Brendan Rodgers’ side is sitting pretty with a game to spare.
Signing a third striker in January is a must if the Gers are keen on dethroning their cross-city rivals at the end of the season. Gerrard should look no further than taking advantage of La Liga side Getafe’s £1million rejected bid for Scottish striker Jack Harper.
The young forward, who spent his formative years at the Real Madrid academy, is impressing with Malaga in La Liga 2. So much so that Madrid-based Getafe had tried to sign him with his one-year Malaga contract set to end at the end of the season.
According to Marca, Harper is hesitant on signing a new deal in southern Spain as he wants the contract to reflect his newfound importance to the La Liga 2 side. The ex-Real Madrid talisman joined Malaga in the summer on a one-year deal.
Following their relegation last season, new manager Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz prepared for life in the Segunda Division. He gave opportunities to young players at the club, including the 22-year-old Harper. The versatile forward can also play as a left winger and as an attacking midfielder. In fact, he has been one of Malaga’s standout players this campaign.
Up until picking up an injury against Elche, Harper had formed a good partnership with Gustavo Blanco Leschuk. The Malaga-born Scot has scored three goals and provided one assist in 13 games.
Malaga need to keep hold of Jack Harper to help their own fight for a quick promotion. However, Rangers should look to capitalize and submit an increased bid to lure the striker back to Scotland. Already knocked out of Europe, Rangers can now concentrate at consolidating their own title push. To do so, the Gers need to sign a quality player to partner Alfredo Morelos in the final third.
Harper, once compared to Robin Van Persie by former Scottish FA performance director Mark Wotte, fits the bill. Thus, the former Scotland U21 would be an excellent acquisition by Gerrard. He’d provide quality back up to the Colombian striker and the move is likely to be on the cheap too.
