RANGERS are closing in on a surprise deal for Bournemouth right-back Max Aarons, it’s being claimed.
The Bournemouth defender, who can also play at left-back, could become Russell Martin‘s first signing at Ibrox.
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The 25-year-old spent the second part of last season on loan at Valencia but only started two games for the La Liga side and is on his way back to the UK.
But he looks set to swap England for Scotland this summer as journalist Matteo Moretto claims Rangers have reached a verbal agreement with Bournemouth to sign him on loan.
Martin has been a long-time admirer of the versatile full-back and was reportedly keen on signing him when he was manager of Southampton.
The latest development could directly impact skipper James Tavernier who was often ousted last season by Neraysho Kasanwirjo or Dujon Sterling.
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Aarons played just nine games for the Cherries and Valencia combined last season and is in need of regular first team football to get his career back on track.
He was a product of Norwich City‘s youth academy and went on to make over 200 appearances for the club before he sealed his move to Bournemouth in 2023.
He joined the Premier League side for £7million and made 23 appearances in his first season at the club before he fell out of favour last season.
During his time at Norwich he crossed paths with Gers boss Martin who spent eight years with the Canaries before his exit in 2018.
Speaking to Talk Norwich City podcast last month, Aarons revealed the former Scotland defender had an “aura” about him in training.
He said: “When he came and trained with us, he had an aura.
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“You have to be training well every single day and I could feel that when he was training with us.
“I always knew he would go on to be a manager. I think players that played with him always knew that as well.
“I knew we had to be on it when he was training with us, giving 110 per cent because if not, Russ will tell you and I loved that.
“He pushed every single training session.
“When he was training with us it almost gave me a feel that I was ready to go and make the jump with the senior players.”
