Surprise Euro giants transfer option emerges for Billy Gilmour - could Rangers make their move?

Greek giants Olympiakos have emerged as a surprise transfer option for former Rangers midfielder Billy Gilmour.

The Scotland star has yet to feature for Chelsea this season but has been given 35 as a squad number and was on the bench for the 2-1 defeat to Southampton in the Premier League on Tuesday night.

It was expected he would depart this window with Brighton & Hove Albion keen on the 21-year-old.

Chelsea appear open to allowing him to leave on loan to a Premier League side or a top-flight European club.

According to Greek outlet Kokkinos Protathlitis, Olympiakos have approached Chelsea about the possibility of a deal before the transfer window closes.

Gilmour spent last season on loan at Norwich City in a relegation battle and is unlikely to feature prominently in Thomas Tuchel’s plans.

Regular first-team football is far more beneficial for the player and his development.

Former club Rangers have been linked with Ross Barkley but Gilmour could be seen as a more appealing option and the Ibrox club would be able to offer Champions League football experience in a group featuring Ajax, Liverpool and Napoli.

Billy Gilmour could leave Chelsea this window. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)

Speaking after the 3-1 success over Queen of the South in the Premier Sports Cup, Giovanni van Bronckhorst was "relaxed” about the transfer situation.

“There are still a couple of days,” he said. “You never know what is happening in those days and you have to be prepared. At the moment, I think this is the squad we are going to have. As I mentioned before, we created this squad to be competitive and reach the Champions League as well, which they did.”