Football League World
·27 juin 2024
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·27 juin 2024
At FLW we have taken a look at the latest news around Norwich City's Kenny McLean.
Kenny McLean has been a key figure in the Norwich City side for six years now, having signed from Aberdeen for a fee of £300,000 back in 2018.
The Canaries have fully reaped the rewards of the minimal price they paid, but at 32, it seems like he may have played his final game at Carrow Road, with Rangers showing interest in the midfielder.
The Scottish international has just been at the European Championships where he played a part in every game for Steve Clarke. Unfortunately for McLean and his teammates, they couldn't secure passage through to the round of 16 after a late Kevin Csoboth goal saw them knocked out against Hungary.
His return to Carrow Road means that his future will now be firmly on the minds of many around the club and a deal could be forthcoming to see him leave.
After it was reported earlier in the week that Rangers were interested in signing the 32-year-old, the latest developments have stated that the Light Blues have made preliminary contact with Norwich City regarding a deal.
It is said that McLean fits the profile perfectly of the experienced and quality central midfielder that Phillipe Clement is chasing.
But Clement will come under pressure to sign the Scotsman, with clubs in Turkey also believed to be keeping an eye on him.
With two years left on his contract, the figure that Norwich will be demanding for their vice-captain is unclear and Rangers will only strike a deal if they believe the fee to be reasonable.
In addition, a wage of around £30,000 would be considered expensive by the Gers, so McLean would have to accept a reduced figure in all likelihood.
Considering all these factors, the financial constraints that Rangers are under could play a pivotal role in determining if they can afford to sign the midfielder. However, at 32-years-old, he is entering the twilight of his career, making it unlikely that the Canaries would demand a large fee.
Another key element that could see McLean leave Carrow Road is that he grew up supporting Rangers.
Having played over 250 games in the Scottish Premiership for Aberdeen and St Mirren, he is yet to receive an opportunity at Ibrox, so this could be his last chance.
Speaking about the opportunity to play for Rangers in 2021, he said: "I'd be lying if I said it wasn't something I'd want to do. As a kid that's what you want to do, play for your boyhood team.
"Right now, I'm about to play in the Premier League again, so I'm not thinking about it!
"But for me and my family, it would be pretty special.
"I grew up a Rangers fan, used to go to the games with my dad and as a kid in Glasgow, you support Rangers or Celtic and you want to play for one of them. So, I was on the better side."
These comments, albeit in the past, suggest that McLean would relish the opportunity to play for the club he has supported all his life. The chance to feature in the prestigious Old-Firm derby must also be a key factor, with very few players ever getting that opportunity in their careers.