Rangers manager Philippe Clement revealed Todd Cantwell has asked to leave the club.
The midfielder was again absent during a 2-1 friendly defeat by Birmingham and Clement returned to his post-match press conference to confirm the 26-year-old has handed in a transfer request.
The Belgian said: “I want to give some clarity also about one thing.
“I want to speak about Todd Cantwell who came in my office a while ago – and we have a really good relationship – to say that he feels ready for another adventure, that he wants another challenge.
“I spoke long with him, because I think Rangers is a really good club for him and I wanted to give him time also.
“But he came back with the same request, so I have to be focused in the next couple of weeks on the guys who are with their heads with Rangers for the next month to come.”
Asked whether it is true the ex-Norwich playmaker had been training with his old club, Clement replied: “No. He trained with us all the time and he played with the second team.”
Goldson, Lammers edge close to Rangers exit; Cerny to join
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Rangers manager Philippe Clement discusses the futures of Connor Goldson and Sam Lammers who are set to leave, plus interest in Wolfsburg’s Vaclav Cerny
Rangers vice-captain Connor Goldson was also absent from the loss at Birmingham as he returned to Cyprus to complete a move to Aris Limassol.
The 31-year-old had flown out for initial talks, before returning for Wednesday’s friendly against Birmingham City.
Despite travelling with the group to St Andrew’s, he has since left after a bid from the Cypriot club – but contrary to reports, a medical is yet to take place.
Goldson arrived at Ibrox in 2018 and has won a Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup and League Cup title – plus helped Rangers reach the Europa League final in 2022.
Rangers remain in talks with Trabzonspor over a deal that would see captain James Tavernier leave too, and, alongside Goldson’s exit, it would free up over £70,000 a week in wages as Philippe Clement rebuilds his squad.
Dutch club FC Twente are in talks over a deal to sign Gers forward Sam Lammers in a deal worth over £2m.
The 27-year-old joined last summer for around £3.5m but spent the second half of the season on loan at FC Utrecht – scoring 11 goals in 20 games – and was of interest to various Eredivisie sides.
Lammers (right) was signed by Michael Beale (left) last summer
With the August 1 deadline to register players ahead of their Champions League qualifier fast approaching, Rangers are in advanced talks over signing Wolfsburg winger Vaclav Cerny on loan.
Rangers have signed seven players this summer in Hamza Igamane, Jefte, Clinton Nsiala, Liam Kelly, Connor Barron and Oscar Cortes – who rejoined on loan with an obligation to buy in the summer – while Mohamed Diomande made his loan move permanent.
Clement: Butland only player not for sale
Speaking during Rangers’ pre-season camp in the Netherlands, Clement revealed the club would consider bids for all players except goalkeeper Jack Butland.
That could pave the way for the likes of Scott Wright and Cyriel Dessers to also depart this summer if reported interest formalises.
He said: “If there’s somebody coming with the right amount of money we will see, we will discuss. But you always need to see, then you need to replace somebody, and you need enough money to replace them to make it better, otherwise it is also of no use. It’s finding a balance in that way.
“I believe there is only one player that is irreplaceable at the moment, that I don’t think a team will pay the money he is worth, for sure, and that is Jack Butland. Everybody knows what I think about that. Every player falls into that category – Jack doesn’t.
“If somebody comes with £30-£40m you can replace him [Butland] for that money. If it is a good amount you can replace him and do something else. We will see.”
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