Ovie Ejaria deal hits snag as Rangers agree fee for Connor Goldson

Rangers have opened talks with Connor Goldson after agreeing a £3 million fee with Brighton - but they will have to wait to land Liverpool youngster Ovie Ejaria.

Ovie Ejaria of Liverpool. Picture: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

It is understood the Ibrox club finally reached an acceptable valuation for centre-back Goldson at lunchtime on Wednesday following weeks of back-and-forth haggling.

That has now paved the way for Ibrox chiefs to start negotiations with the 25-year-old and his representatives.

Rangers are confident he can be persuaded to join Steven Gerrard’s revolution but, with a medical still to be organised, they do not expect the deal to be signed off until early next week.

Rangers have agreed a fee to sign Brighton's Connor Goldson. Picture: Mark Kerton/Action Plus via Getty Images

Their hopes of luring Liverpool midfielder Ejaria to Glasgow on a season-long loan have hit a snag.

Rangers were hoping to announce the 20-year-old as Gerrard’s fourth summer signing following the captures of Scott Arfield, Allan McGregor and Jamie Murphy.

He is still expected to follow Gerrard north from Anfield, but it could again take a few days to get the move across the line.

The signing of Goldson will come as a major relief to the Rangers support, who have long been concerned about their leaky defence.

While the Ibrox side topped the Ladbrokes Premiership scoring charts last term, the 50 league goals they conceded was worse than any of their top-six rivals.

Bruno Alves, Fabio Cardosso, David Bates, Ross McCrorie and Russell Martin were all tried out in the centre of defence as Pedro Caixinha and then Graeme Murty looked to tighten up without success.

New manager Gerrard will hope Goldson can finally provide the steady hand Rangers need as he looks to take his side through the Europa League qualifiers before challenging Celtic domestically.