- Rangers face setback as Sheffield Wednesday open new contract talks with Pierce Charles, as Rangers eye Jack Butland replacement.
- Charles is viewed as a stronger distributor than Butland in possession.
- Manchester City and Strasbourg are also tracking the highly-rated Northern Ireland goalkeeper.
Rangers hopes of landing a new goalkeeper this summer may have suffered a setback, with leading target Pierce Charles now in talks over a new deal at Sheffield Wednesday.
The Ibrox side have been heavily linked with the Northern Ireland international in recent months.
All while uncertainty continues around the long-term future of Jack Butland as Rangers’ number one.
However, according to reports from The Wednesday Word, Sheffield Wednesday are actively trying to tie the 20-year-old down to an improved contract amid mounting interest in his signature.
Pierce Charles set for Sheffield stay
Wednesday endured a disastrous campaign that ultimately ended in relegation from the English Championship.
This followed a points deduction that left them rooted to the foot of the table on zero points.
A major clear-out is expected at Hillsborough this summer, though Charles may yet remain part of the club’s plans.
The highly rated goalkeeper has emerged as one of the few bright sparks in an otherwise miserable season for the Owl.
Managing to establish himself as a first-team regular after progressing through the ranks in South Yorkshire.
Charles has just one year remaining on his current deal.
However, Wednesday are understood to be keen to reward his breakthrough campaign with fresh terms and a significant wage increase.
Having signed his existing contract while still regarded as a back-up option, Charles is not believed to be earning anywhere near the level of a starting goalkeeper.
Wednesday are now looking to rectify that while also securing his future on a longer-term basis.
Multiple clubs vie for keeper’s signiture
Talks are said to be ongoing, although there remains uncertainty over whether the player will commit.
This is due to the calibre of club’s monitoring his situation.
Rangers have been credited with strong interest previously.
Whilst Strasbourg and former club Manchester City are also reportedly keeping tabs on the young stopper’s development.
Many believe Charles is already too accomplished to spend next season playing League One football.
This thought comes after a string of impressive performances in the latter stages of the campaign further enhanced his growing reputation.
Distribution issues for Jack Butland
For Rangers, Charles’ profile makes obvious sense.
The Northern Ireland international is comfortable with the ball at his feet and possesses the kind of distribution Rangers have badly lacked at times this season.
Butland, has great experience and shot-stopping qualities.
However, he has struggled when asked to play out from the back, with his use of possession repeatedly coming under scrutiny.
That issue was evident again during Rangers’ defeat to Celtic at Parkhead on Sunday.
During which Butland too often returned possession straight back to the home side under pressure.
Charles, by contrast, is viewed as a far calmer and more progressive distributor.
These are attributes increasingly vital in the modern game and likely to appeal to Danny Rohl’s preferred style of play.
He has even been called “better than some midfielders” with his ability to play out.
Rohl also previously worked with the stopper during his time at Hillsborugh, although the future of the German is now up in the air after three successive post-split defeats consigned the Gers to a third-place finish.
