Rangers have officially kicked off their summer transfer business by lodging a formal opening bid to sign Westerlo right-back Bryan Reynolds, as the Ibrox club looks to swiftly replace outbound captain James Tavernier.
The Light Blues are firmly in the market for a dynamic new right-sided defender as they prepare to wave a final goodbye to Tavernier. After an era-defining spell in Glasgow, the long-serving skipper has reportedly decided to move on in search of a fresh challenge, leaving a monumental void in the first-team squad at Ibrox.
That high-profile departure has opened the door for manager Danny Rohl and his recruitment team to aggressively assess fresh targets across Europe. The United States international has quickly emerged at the very top of the pile for the Scottish Premiership giants, who want to wrap up their incoming business early.
The 24-year-old full-back is currently operating in the Belgian Pro League, having previously moved to Europe in a high-profile switch to Serie A giants Roma. Reynolds could now soon be on his way to Glasgow to link up with the Gers as a permanent summer transfer takes a massive step closer to completion.
The Govan outfit are understood to hold concrete, long-standing interest in the defender, with only days remaining until the official transfer window opens for business. Direct contact has already been established with Westerlo to try and get a deal across the line before pre-season training begins.
Reynolds is rapidly heading into the final year of his current contract in Belgium, which has forced his club’s hand in the market. The Belgians are said to be entirely open to letting the seven-cap United States international leave this summer, but they are absolutely not prepared to be rolled over easily on the price tag.
Highly respected transfer journalist Sacha Tavolieri reported that Rangers have already submitted a formal £2.1 million offer for Reynolds. However, that opening gambit has since been knocked back by the Belgian club, who value the defender higher despite his contract situation.
Westerlo are unwilling to let the ex-FC Dallas starlet leave for that specific figure at this early stage of the window. Despite the initial rejection, the Light Blues have still been given a massive green light over a potential move by the player himself, who is keen on a switch to Scotland.
The player’s desire to join the project at Ibrox gives Rangers a major advantage, even if other European sides decide to enter the race for his signature later this month. The Pro League side aren’t willing to be taken advantage of, even with the American entering the final 12 months of his deal.
That contract status certainly opens the door for a cut-price fee compared to his previous valuation, but there is still a firm baseline price being demanded by the Westerlo board. Prior reports from Belgium suggest that a fee of just “a few million” would be enough to secure his services.
That valuation means the Gers are really not far away from offering what it takes to get their man. At an opening bid of £2.1 million, the Ibrox club could be just £900,000 away from making a deal possible, as a package total of £3 million is expected to do it.
It makes perfect sense for Rangers to get a move over the line for Reynolds as soon as humanly possible. Replacing a player of Tavernier’s statistical output and leadership inside the dressing room needs to be treated as an absolute priority for Danny Rohl’s summer rebuild.
Tavernier has been the focal point of the Rangers team for years, meaning his replacement will face intense scrutiny from day one. Reynolds possesses the raw athletic profile, blistering pace, and overlapping capabilities required to thrive in a high-pressing tactical system at Ibrox.
During his time in Major League Soccer with FC Dallas, Reynolds burst onto the scene as one of the most promising young standard-bearers for American soccer. His performances earned him a dream move to Roma under Tiago Pinto, though his minutes in Italy were ultimately limited under different managerial regimes.
A subsequent loan move to Belgium allowed him to rebuild his confidence and showcase his durability in a highly competitive European league. His permanent switch to Westerlo solidified his reputation as a reliable, modern fullback who loves to contribute heavily in the final third of the pitch.
For Rangers, signing a player with Serie A and international experience at just 24 years old represents an excellent piece of business. He fits the exact player trading model that the Ibrox board wants to implement, offering both immediate quality and massive potential resale value down the line.
The negotiations are expected to continue over the coming days, with Rangers weighing up an improved second bid to test Westerlo’s resolve. The Belgian side wants to maximize their profit, but they also risk losing the United States defender for absolutely nothing next summer if they reject reasonable offers now.
Rohl is keen to have his new signings integrated into the squad before the club jet off for their warm-weather pre-season training camp. Having Reynolds in place early would allow the tactical staff to work closely with him on the specific defensive transitions required in the Scottish game.
The Rangers support will be watching this transfer saga closely, knowing that the right-back position is critical to how the team builds attacks. Tavernier’s historic goal-scoring record from defense will likely never be repeated, but Reynolds offers a different type of tactical dynamism that could make the team unpredictable.
With personal terms not expected to be a major barrier to the deal, the pressure is now on the Rangers board to find an agreement with Westerlo. An extra push in the financial package could unlock the transfer and give the fans a major boost ahead of a massive campaign both domestically and in Europe.
As the countdown to the official opening of the summer transfer window ticks away, the hierarchy at Ibrox will want to send a clear message of intent. Securing Bryan Reynolds ahead of competing suitors would be the perfect way to kickstart what promises to be a dramatic and incredibly busy summer in Govan.
