Rangers suffer transfer blow with free-spending EFL outfit 'pushing' to sign long-term target

Rangers could be set to suffer an early transfer blow ahead of the summer window reopening next month, with reports that a big-spending EFL club are ‘pushing hard’ to sign one of their long-term targets.

The Ibrox giants have been credited with an interest in Peterborough United attacker Kwame Poku, with scouts from the club in attendance as the 23-year-old scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 win over Cambridge United back in November, though he has also been linked with Stoke City, Millwall and Southampton.

The Ghanaian international had an injury-hit campaign, but still managed to score 12 goals and assist a further eight this season as the Posh escaped relegation from EFL League One. Poku will play his football elsewhere next season though, with the club confirming he will depart London Road this summer when his contract comes to an end next month, alongside highly-rated teammates Hector Kyprianou and Ricky-Jade Jones.

A statement on the club website said: "The club held discussions with all three about extending their stays in PE2 but they indicated they wanted to move on and they leave with our thanks for their efforts over their time at the club."

Kwame Poku of Peterborough United attempts to control the ball under pressure from Patrick Brough as Marc Leonard looks on during the Sky Bet League One match between Peterborough United and Northampton Town. | Getty Images

With Peterborough due a tribunal-set compensation fee because he joined from Colchester United before the age of 21, it was thought that the Glasgow giants may be able to steal a march on other interested parties from the English second tier, with the Light Blues able to take advantage of cross-border transfer rules.

It would mean Rangers would be more likely to be able to sign him for a ‘minimal’ compensation fee, unlike interested English clubs who could be forced to pay a much higher development fee, which has been estimated at around £6million by Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony.

However, fresh reports this morning indicate that Rangers may be blown out of the water by free-spending Birmingham City, who are looking to mount an ambitious bid for a second promotion following their record breaking 111 point title win in the EFL League One this season.

According to Sky Sports journalist Rob Dorsett, the EFL Championship-bound Blues are ‘pushing hard’ to get a deal over the line for Poku. Reports state the they are prepared to offer him £30,000 a week in order to join, while it is also claimed that the two clubs are looking to avoid a tribunal in order to determine the transfer fee, with MacAnthony already admitting: “We'll start talking to those clubs because they won't want to go to a tribunal as much as we do. It's unpredictable and it will go in our favour in a big way.

"The problem with tribunals is that they have to pay all the money up front. You get told [what to pay]. We also have other things that are happening as well. We will try and still do business, we want to sell and bring money in but I'd sell my wedding ring to sign the right player.”

The move could also prove to be a double blow to the Gers, with a move for Poku potentially scuppering a permanent deal for Kieran Dowell, who spent the second-half of the campaign on loan at St Andrews. The English midfielder scored five goals as the Blues romped to the league title but has yet to discover if the club will opt to sign him permanently.