Cardiff City have been credited with an interest in Rangers defender John Souttar as the Bluebirds continue to reshape their squad ahead of the new Championship season.
According to the Daily Record, Cardiff are among a number of Championship clubs monitoring the Scotland international, who is said to be weighing up his future at Ibrox following the World Cup.
Interest from Championship clubs
The report claims Sheffield United, Watford and Cardiff are all interested in the 29-year-old centre-back, with Rangers expected to demand a seven-figure fee should they sanction his departure this summer.
Leicester City had also been linked with Souttar, but the Daily Record reports the Scotland defender is reluctant to drop into League One, despite the presence of former Rangers boss Russell Martin and his brother Harry Souttar at the Foxes.
Souttar's current situation
Souttar did not travel with Rangers on their pre-season trip to Spain, with the report claiming he has instead been given time to consider his options.
The experienced defender would undoubtedly add quality and leadership to any Championship back line, having established himself as a Scotland international and travelling to North America for this summer's World Cup. Despite being in the squad, Souttar was an unused substitute in all three of Scotland's group games against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil.
Cardiff's transfer priorities
However, a move to Cardiff would come as something of a surprise given the Bluebirds' current priorities in the transfer market. Brian Barry-Murphy is understood to be focused on strengthening other areas of his squad, with central midfield, left-back, winger and striker the key positions Cardiff are looking to reinforce before the transfer window closes.
The club's pursuit of Tromsø midfielder Jens Hjertø-Dahl points to just how high central midfield sits on the priority list, while further additions are also being sought in the attacking areas.
Centre-back options at Cardiff
At centre-back, Cardiff are already well stocked. Calum Chambers, Dylan Lawlor, Will Fish and Gabriel Osho currently provide Barry-Murphy with strong options, while the club remain determined to keep hold of Lawlor despite continued interest from elsewhere.
As WalesOnline reported earlier on Tuesday, fresh claims that West Ham had stepped up their pursuit of the Wales international were wide of the mark, with no new approach having been made to either Cardiff or the player's representatives.
Unless that situation changes or Cardiff sanction a significant defensive departure before the transfer deadline, a move for another senior centre-back would not appear to be an immediate priority.
That said, the transfer window remains fluid and any major outgoing could yet alter Cardiff's plans.
