Alan Hutton rejected the offer of a move to Spurs last week but The Times treports that Rangers Chairman Sir David Murray met Hutton on Monday in Edinburgh and made it clear to the defender that Tottenham's offer made good sense for both clubs - and the player.
It has been claimed that Hutton would be able to double his salary, just about, by moving to White Hart Lane.
And Rangers have asked the 23-year-old to reconsider his initial rejection of the Spurs move. Hutton is now apparently doing so, and could a member of the Tottenham squad by the end of this week.
So keen are Rangers said to be on the deal that they are allegedly prepared to offer Hutton a financial inducement to go as part of the transfer.
Why are they so willing to let such a highly-rated player leave? Because, apparently, they feel that an offer of £8 million – with the possibility of a Spurs player (Wayne Routledge perhaps?) being added as a make-weight - is too good to refuse.
Rangers are also said to regard Steven Whittaker, another right-back on their books, as ready to take Hutton's place in the team.
A sub-plot to this story is that Hutton's initial rejection of the Spurs offer was not entirely based on loyalty to Rangers, but also had something to do with the player's hopes that rumours of a bid from Manchester United might materialise. As yet though, there has been no offer reported from Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, Hutton is suspended for two matches - the first of which is Tuesday night's SPL clash against St Mirren at Love Street.
Asked about the Hutton situation on Monday, Rangers manager Walter Smith said:
“Alan’s initial indication to us was that he has turned [Spurs] down, that he wants to stay here. So that’s where we are right now.
“When you look at clubs at the present moment, there is the financial aspect and the football aspect to consider. Everybody knows the Rangers financial position isn’t what it was a few years ago, but no one at the club wanted to lose Alan. From a football perspective, nobody wanted him to go.
“But when you get offered that type of money, then you are in a situation where, from a financial point of view, it is acceptable. As I say, nobody wants to lose Alan from a football perspective - and I include the chairman in that – but sometimes the financial part can overtake everything. That’s the reason why the offer was acceptable as a bid. In the meantime, though, we are delighted if Alan has decided to stay.”
Smith could, though, expect to receive up to half of the Tottenham fee for his own buying this month - and he admits he wants to strengthen his squad.
“If we can find a player whom we feel is better than those we have at the present moment, then we will endeavour to go for him,” Smith said.
“In fact, we’ve already gone for one or two players and been knocked back, so we are interested in improving the team. But I’m not going to sign a player just for the sake of it.
“If we had positions where I felt we were weaker, then obviously I’d take a player to try to help us. But I feel that we have a fairly big squad of players, and if we can’t get anyone of better quality in, then we won’t sign anyone.”
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