Preston North End's Freddie Woodman celebrates after Ben Woodburn scores their first goal
Glasgow Rangers manager Michael Beale is reportedly plotting a move to bring goalkeeper Freddie Woodman to Ibrox this summer.
The Lowdown: Woodman profiled
Woodman is currently playing for Preston North End in the English Championship, where he has conceded just 38 goals and kept an impressive 14 clean sheets in 34 games so far this season (Transfermarkt).
Their defensive record is one of the best in the division, and has kept them in mid-table in spite of their struggles to score goals.
The Latest: Beale plotting move
As per The Scottish Sun, Beale is plotting a £3.5m swoop for Woodman this summer, who scouts from Ibrox have already watched a number of times this campaign.
Rangers are looking for a new number one, as veteran Allan McGregor is expected to leave after his contract ends this summer, and Woodman fits their profile having already had loan spells in Scottish football.
Preston are willing to listen to offers for Woodman, as he is one of their highest earners, and the Gers are expected to face competition from Premier League outfits Leeds United and Leicester City for his signature.
The Verdict: Get it done
With McGregor expected to leave, 25-year-old Woodman is capable of coming in and being the new number one between the sticks for the next decade.
The six-foot-two colossus ranks in the top 25% of all goalkeepers for a number of key metrics outside of Europe’s top five leagues over the past year, while he has also been hailed for his ‘excellent‘ ability to save penalties by his former manager at Swansea City Steve Cooper.
Nonetheless, giving his experience in Scotland as well, Woodman should be able to settle in fairly quickly at the Light Blues, should they decide to make their move.
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