"Can only be good news" - Pundit reacts to latest Rangers, Norwich City transfer update | OneFootball

Rangers will not be signing Norwich City midfielder Kenny McLean this summer.

Pundit Carlton Palmer believes it is a big boost for Norwich City that midfielder Kenny McLean will not be departing for Rangers.

McLean joined Norwich from Aberdeen in the summer of 2018, and he has made 228 appearances for the club in the last six years, winning the Championship title on two occasions during that time.

The 32-year-old was the subject of interest from Leeds United last summer, but he instead signed a new contract at Carrow Road, and he played a key role as Norwich reached the play-offs last season.

McLean was named as the Canaries' Player of the Season after another impressive campaign, and according to Football Insider, Rangers made preliminary contact over a potential deal for the Scotland international last month.

The midfielder has made no secret of his desire to play at Ibrox at some stage in his career, but it has been reported that any deal is now off due to disagreements over the length of contract the Gers were willing to offer.

Carlton Palmer reacts to latest Kenny McLean developments

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said that it is good news for Norwich that McLean is set to remain at Carrow Road, and he believes the Canaries' asking price would have been a stumbling block for Rangers, as well as his contract demands.

"It looks like there could be some good news coming Norwich City's way, with Rangers now pulling the plug on any proposed deal to sign Kenny McLean," Palmer said.

"The Scotland Euros star with the subject of interest from Ibrox, and he made no bones about it, he would have loved to have played for Rangers, but at 32, he has two years left on his contract at Norwich.

"He's a cult hero at Carrow Road and has worn the armband on many occasions.

"The midfielder would have brought some experience to a Rangers side that have signed a lot of young players, but reports coming out of Glasgow are that any potential deal is now off. "This is due to the terms of the contract length because obviously if he's going to move, he would want serious money and a decent contract length. "Norwich would have been asking for a huge fee for him, which would have also been a stumbling block, never mind his wages and his age.

"Although McLean would have liked to have gone to Rangers, and it would have been special for him because he grew up being a Rangers fan and used to go to games with his Dad, a deal couldn't be brokered and that can only be good news for Norwich."

Norwich City must keep hold of Kenny McLean this summer

It is difficult to disagree with Palmer that it is a huge boost for Norwich that Rangers have cooled their interest in McLean.

Given that McLean has previously stated that he would like to play for Rangers, a move to Ibrox would surely have been tempting for him, so the Canaries will be relieved that he could not reach a contract agreement with the Scottish giants.

McLean was one of the Canaries' standout performers last season, starring at both centre-back and in midfield, and it would have been a big blow for new head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup to lose a player of his experience.

Norwich will be hoping that there is no further interest in McLean this summer, and they should reject any bids they receive for the midfielder before the end of the transfer window.