Rangers withdraw bid for Pierce Charles due to Sheffield Wednesday’s unrealistic demands | OneFootball

Rangers have ended their pursuit of Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles, according to Alex Crook.

According to Crook, negotiations broke down over what club insiders described as “unreasonable” demands from the Hillsborough hierarchy.

The Ibrox side had identified Charles as a promising understudy to current number one Jack Butland, with the 20-year-old Northern Ireland international seen as a long-term successor in goal.

Rangers had tabled a bid worth more than £1 million. It was matched by Premier League side West Ham United. However, both offers were rejected by Wednesday.

The hardline stance from the Championship club raised plenty of eyebrows, given the club’s well-documented financial turmoil.

Players and staff at Hillsborough have reportedly received late wages in four of the last five months, and controversial owner Dejphon Chansiri is facing mounting pressure from supporters to sell the club.

There are rumours that the players are being selectively paid according to their importance to the team.

However, despite the club’s precarious situation, Chansiri has refused to cash in on one of the club’s brightest stars and high-value assets.

Charles made his senior breakthrough last season and has become a household name at Wednesday after coming up through the club’s academy.

The Northern Irishman has two years left on his contract with Wednesday, and the Championship club is determined to hold firm on a valuation that Rangers are unwilling to meet.

Rangers have already made eight signings this summer, but manager Russell Martin is eyeing more reinforcements after a slow start to the Scottish Premiership season.

Martin’s side have drawn their opening two league games, playing out a pair of 1-1 draws against Motherwell and Dundee.

Charles would have been Rangers’ second signing from Wednesday this summer, having previously agreed a £2.2m deal for winger Djeidi Gassama.

Gassama has been an instant hit, scoring four goals in the Champions League to put Rangers on the brink of the play-offs.

Rangers’ move for Charles has now reached a dead end. Reports suggest that Ibrox chiefs have no intention of returning with an improved bid and will instead turn their attention to alternative targets.