Rangers Plotting Shock Reunion With Their Former Attacker: Smart From The Gers? | OneFootball

If a report from The Sheffield Star is believed to be true, Rangers are plotting a reunion with Sheffield Wednesday ace Josh Windass in the summer window. But the Light Blues are not alone in the hunt, with fellow Championship outfits Derby County, Norwich City, Coventry City, and the newly-promoted Wrexham keeping close tabs on the veteran forward.

The 31-year-old Englishman progressed through the academy ranks of Huddersfield Town. He joined non-league side Harrogate Railway Athletic upon being released by the Terriers, but soon secured a switch to Accrington Stanley in the fourth tier of English football.

Journey Since Joining The Gers

Rangers snapped him up on a Bosman in the summer of 2016. However, Windass eventually returned to England when Wigan splashed €2.8m two years later. There, he spent one and a half years before plying his trade to Wednesday on loan for the second-half of the 2019-20 campaign.

The Owls made the deal permanent in the summer of 2020, and the versatile attacker has so far netted 53 times and laid on 23 more in 182 appearances [stats via Transfermarket] for the Hillsborough club. He scored 13 league goals last season, thus becoming their top scorer en route to helping them finish 12th in the league standings.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MARCH 11: Josh Windass of Rangers scores his side’s first goal past Scott Bain of Celtic during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium on March 11, 201,8 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Yet Sheffield Wednesday could be forced to sanction his summer exit amid the ongoing financial crisis. They have failed to pay their players and staff on three occasions over the last four months, which could lead to several contract terminations and a mass exodus. Rangers are already closing in on their star winger Djeidi Gassama, and Windass, too, could reunite with the young Frenchman north of the border.

Why It’s A Smart Move From Rangers

His potential return to Ibrox is more than just an emotional move from the Gers’ perspective. They are scripting a squad overhaul under new boss Russell Martin, and their attacking third is largely impacted, having lost Vaclav Cerny, Tom Lawrence and Ianis Hagi already. Both Hamza Igamane and Cyriel Dessers could also leave soon amid long-term interest from Lille and AEK Athens, respectively.

While they have bolstered their defence and midfield, the frontline must be reconstructed before the crucial UEFA Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos later this month. The growing Uncertainty over Jamie Vardy’s arrival is a worrying sign, but the versatility of Windass should restore parity in attack.

He was a rookie during his previous stint; however, the Owls star could become a central figure in Martin’s system for his ability to slot in as a ‘number 10’, wide forward and even a targetman. His chemistry with Gassama would excite the Ibrox faithful if replicated in Scottish football.