West Brom, Burnley, Wrexham and Coventry City plotting move for Rangers star | OneFootball

There looks to be an intense Championship and League One battle shaping up for the player

Wrexham, Burnley and Middlesbrough are among six teams eyeing out-of-contract Rangers forward Tom Lawerence.

That’s according to a report from the Daily Mail, who also credit West Brom, Coventry City and Blackburn Rovers with an interest.

The outlet also confirms that Lawrence is attracting interest from abroad, only increasing the difficulty of landing his signature.

All those, plus the possibility of him signing a new deal at Ibrox, set up a busy summer of decisions for the 31-year-old.

Rangers star Tom Lawrence attracting interest from the Championship and beyond

Lawrence signed for Rangers from Derby County in 2022 and is currently having his best season to date for the Scottish side, netting six goals in all competitions including two in the Europa League against Lyon and FCSB.

But, perhaps on account of him having a quiet couple of seasons before that, his contract has been allowed to run down until its final few months, a situation which the aforementioned clubs have been alerted to.

Those English and Welsh sides circling will also have to fend off interest from the likes of Olympiacos, PAOK and Besiktas to land Lawrence’s signature.

The 31-year-old has also recently been praised by Wales manager Craig Bellamy for his adaptability, who reckons Lawrence is capable of playing in central midfield, as a no.10, on either wing or as a false nine.

That, coupled with his strong track record of goalscoring in the Championship with Derby, is a key reason behind the intense interest.

Wrexham may have an added advantage in Lawrence chase

The Red Dragons are a unique proposition for potential signings: new arrivals are almost guaranteed to strike up a bond with club owners and Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McIlhenney, get a prime spot on Disney+ documentary Welcome to Wrexham, and generally boost their profile.

For players with retirement on the horizon, that publicity will do no harm as they weigh up their post-playing career. Lawrence should have a good few years left in the tank at a decent level, but it’s likely something that he has considered at 31.

But that may not be the main driving factor for any Red Dragons move, as Lawrence was actually born in Wrexham.

Although he’s never played for the club, a homecoming – to a club as in the spotlight as Wrexham – has an obvious romantic appeal.

Wrexham move could depend on Championship progress

Given the forward hit double figures for goals in two of his last three Championship seasons for Derby before the Rangers move, it would be a sensational signing for Wrexham, but it likely only happens if they earn promotion this term.

With so many well-established second-tier sides interested, plus teams abroad who may be playing European football, it seems unlikely Lawrence drops to the third tier at this point in his career.

Even Championship football may not be enough, with Burnley one of the interested parties, who could well be in the Premier League, a division Lawrence has managed only four appearances in, and one he’d surely love to give one last shot.

The race in League One for an automatic promotion spot is tight, so there are no guarantees the Red Dragons can offer a second-tier spot in any case, but if Wrexham can make the jump, it would be a big name to land as they attempt to stay afloat in the Championship.

It remains to be seen where Lawrence ends up next season, but one thing for certain is that he won’t be short of offers.