Football League World
·17 July 2025
Rangers plotting move to sign Cardiff City striker

In partnership with
Yahoo sportsFootball League World
·17 July 2025
Rangers are considering an approach for one of Cardiff City's hottest young prospects
Rangers are eyeing a move for Cardiff City youngster Jack Sykes this summer.
According to Hayters, the Glasgow outfit are taking an interest in the 16-year-old striker amid his impressive performances at underage level.
Russell Martin is now in charge at Ibrox, and will be keen to strengthen both the first team squad and their academy system’s talent.
Meanwhile, the Bluebirds are preparing for life in League One with Brian Barry-Murphy after coming bottom of the Championship last season.
Rangers are reportedly monitoring Sykes ahead of a potential move during the transfer window.
The youngster is grabbing a lot of attention at the moment due to his performances at underage level, which has led to the Scottish giants weighing up an approach.
The 16-year-old has been competing at U18 level for Cardiff, playing for the side as a scholar.
But he could make the switch to Rangers for just a compensation fee due to not having signed his first professional contract yet, which he is not eligible for until he turns 17.
It would come as a blow for Cardiff to lose someone of his talent at such a young age, with it understood that the Welsh outfit are hoping to convince him to stay.
It remains to be seen whether he could break into Barry-Murphy’s plans in the upcoming campaign, but there is no doubt there is a lot of excitement surrounding his potential at this stage.
Cardiff have yet to make their first official signing of the summer after suffering relegation from the second division last season.
Barry-Murphy will be keen for reinforcements before the campaign gets underway, with the Bluebirds targeting promotion back to the Championship at the first attempt.
Cardiff will get their season underway on 2 August with a home clash against Peterborough United.
While Sykes has yet to prove what he can do at senior level, Cardiff will know that he has a lot of potential and that he could contribute to the first team soon.
But at 16, they are vulnerable to losing him for a relatively low cost compared to if he’d signed his first pro deal by now.
Assurances over game time could be key to convincing him to stay, but the opportunity to move to Rangers will be tempting.
They will be competing for major honours, as well as playing in European competition, while Cardiff will face a lot of stiff competition for a place back in the Championship.
Live