Rangers Lead Race For Sunderland Midfielder With West Ham Still In Fray: How He Would Bolster Rohl’s Midfield | OneFootball

If a recent report from The Star is true, Rangers have leapfrogged Sheffield United in their pursuit of Dan Neil. The Sunderland midfielder did not travel with the team for their trip to London ahead of clashing heads with West Ham United, and the recent enquiry from the Hammers fuels speculation over a January move to Stratford. While the clubs like Coventry City and Cologne are also keen, the Light Blues could bring him north of the border, having shown serious ambition so far this winter.

The 24-year-old former England youth international progressed through the academy ranks of the Black Cats following a brief stint with local outfit Hebburn Town in Tyne and Wear. He eventually broke into their senior side and played his part in the promotion to the Championship from League One in 2022.

Why Neil Has No Future At Sunderland

Neil continued to flourish in the middle of the park, making his opportunities count week in and week out. He captained his boyhood club en route to clinching a top-flight status, defeating Sheffield United in a dramatic playoff final. Despite making more than 200 senior appearances for Sunderland, Regis Le Bris splashed significant cash to bolster the squad to meet the Premier League standards.

Midfield was no exception, as the French boss snapped up Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra, who are now the preferred options as the ‘double pivot’. The versatility of Enzo Le Fee and Chris Rigg offers depth and quality in his 4-2-3-1 setup, and Neil, known for his ability to drive the game as a deep-lying playmaker, has slipped way down the pecking order.

DERBY, ENGLAND – JANUARY 21: drb19challenges Dan Neil of Sunderland during the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County FC and Sunderland AFC at Pride Park on January 21, 2025 in Derby, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Why Rangers Need A ‘Number 6’ This Month

Rangers brought in Joe Rothwell in the summer window for his experience and reputation as a ‘number 6’ south of the border. However, the veteran Englishman has struggled to attune to the aggression and pace of Scottish football, and is now heading for an exit, failing to stake a claim in Danny Rohl’s first-team plans.

Meanwhile, injuries to Connor Barron and Bailey Rice, as well as Kieran Dowell’s move to Hull City, decimate the Gers in the centre of the pitch. Tochi Chukwuani is a smart addition to challenge and cover Mohamed Diomande and Nicolas Raskin. But none of them is a designated defensive midfielder, which could haunt them in the decisive phase of the title race.

Although Raskin is showing his brilliance from the base of Rohl’s three-man midfield, playing him deep limits his creativity as a ‘number 8’. Neil is suited for that role, and his availability on a Bosman this summer presents a market opportunity to have him on a cut-price deal ahead of February 2’s deadline. His transfer to Ibrox would benefit the Blades, as the Light Blues should not stand in the way of their long-term target Rothwell.