Cardiff City and Watford join Sheffield United and Leicester City in Rangers transfer race | OneFootball

Cardiff City and Watford have joined Sheffield United and Leicester City in the race for Rangers defender John Souttar

With the World Cup now over and pre-season well underway, the return of Championship football is on the horizon, as clubs across the second tier scramble around in the transfer market to make some key additions this summer, including both Cardiff City and Watford.

Club football has once again become the focus of many following the conclusion of the World Cup in North America, as transfer rumours in the EFL continue to fly around.

Cardiff City, upon their return to the Championship after one year in League One, have made just the one permanent addition thus far, with Nathan Trott joining on a permanent basis from FC Copenhagen after a successful loan.

Talks with Norwegian midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl continue to rumble on, as the Welsh outfit remain reluctant to make too many changes to the squad just yet.

Meanwhile, Watford's only addition thus far is right-back Omar Traore following his release from FC Heidenheim, though deals for the likes of Federico Ravaglia, Iker Bravo, Martin Payero, and Jordan Zemura appear close.

With business only likely to increase over the coming weeks and months, the two clubs have now joined the race for a defender who represented his nation at the recent World Cup, but face competition from other EFL rivals.

Cardiff City and Watford have joined Sheffield United and Leicester City in the pursuit of Rangers defender John Souttar this summer

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John Souttar, 29, looks to be on the move this summer, having been left out of the Rangers squad that travelled to Spain by new boss Derek McIness, despite signing a contract extension with the Scottish outfit back in February.

Souttar, the brother of current Leicester City and Australia international Harry, was a regular under Danny Rohl at Ibrox last campaign, making 38 appearances across all competitions and captaining the club on numerous occasions.

The centre-back, however, appears to be on the move this summer following his expulsion from the Rangers squad, with it being reported that Sheffield United registered an interest in him last week.

Now, alongside Leicester, both Cardiff and Watford have seemingly joined the race for his signature this summer, with Rangers looking for a seven-figure deal to part ways.

Cardiff will be looking to establish themselves as a Championship side once more upon their return to the second tier, and the addition of the experienced Souttar would go some way to helping them achieve that goal.

Watford, meanwhile, are looking to back new boss Alessio Dionisi with some important new additions, and have seemingly outlined Souttar as a potential option to reinforce their defensive options this summer.

It seems in any case that Souttar will be heading south of the border for the first time in his career at 29 after spells with Rangers, Dundee United, and Hearts, though where his exact destination will be remains to be seen.

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With Cardiff and Watford joining Sheffield United and Leicester in the hunt for Souttar this summer, the Scottish international seems to have his pick of clubs.

Each side presents its own unique challenges, though where Souttar prefers, at this stage, remains to be seen.

Linking up with his brother at Leicester would likely be an attractive option, but following the Foxes' relegation to League One and Harry having been recently linked away too, a reunion with Russell Martin appears doubtful.

This saga looks set to rumble on, and with fresh competition emerging, the battle will only intensify from here on out.