Southampton dealt July 1st transfer blow as Rangers confirm big news | OneFootball

A transfer twist has emerged regarding Southampton target Dan Neil involving Rangers, amid interest from West Ham and Wolves...

Dan Neil has been linked with a switch to a number of clubs, including Rangers, as well as Championship sides Southampton, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and West Ham United.

West Ham and Wolves were linked alongside Southampton, but the Saints looked to have won the race for a player also linked to Ipswich Town and Coventry City.

The competition has been fierce for the Sunderland midfielder, with his contract expiring today at the Stadium of Light. He ended last season on loan with Ipswich and gained his second promotion in as many seasons from the Championship, which is why Southampton and co. were so keen.

The 24-year-old has played in 152 Championship matches, with the vast majority coming with the club he came through the ranks at. Sunderland are in Europe next season and were happy to let Neil run his contract down to exit on a free transfer from July 1st.

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After looking like Neil was joining Southampton to potentially replace Shea Charles, it now looks as though he is headed further north than Sunderland as opposed to down south.

Journalist Ben Jacobs stated that Neil was expected to join Rangers as a free agent.

Sky Sports' Keith Downie added that a deal had been agreed after the 24-year-old was in talks with Southampton last week and looked to have opted for St. Mary’s over the Scottish giants.

He stated that things changed significantly over the last 48 hours and Rangers swooped. In fact, the midfielder was having a medical over the last 24 hours at Ibrox and Downie reported that it was set to be confirmed soon.

Rangers have swiftly confirmed the deal just minutes after Downie and Jacobs revealed he was on his way, with the midfielder penning a three-year contract with the club.

Dan Neil would have effectively replaced Shea Charles for Southampton

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With Charles almost certainly heading for the exit door this summer, Southampton missing out on Neil is an even bigger disappointment. While the former Sunderland man is a different type of midfielder to Charles, he would still have represented an outstanding addition to Tonda Eckert's engine room ahead of another promotion push.

Neil would have given them leadership, composure in possession, and a wealth of Championship experience despite still being only 24.

Should Charles depart, Southampton will already have a significant void to fill in midfield, making the loss of a player of Neil's calibre even more frustrating.

Finding someone with his quality without paying a sizeable transfer fee is no easy task, and the Saints have now missed that opportunity. Although their recruitment team will undoubtedly have alternative targets, Neil appeared to be one of the market's standout value signings and could have softened the blow of losing one of their most influential midfielders.

It's a huge coup from Rangers' perspective. They have beat a number of English second tier sides to secure his services. Southampton have had a tough end to the season and a difficult start to this transfer window.