Speaking outside of Sunderland’s training ground earlier this week, Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie reaffirmed the notion that Rangers had enquired over Neil. However, with Sunderland having already loaned out six players to international clubs, any deal would have to be permanent.
Rangers, being from a different country, are seen as ‘international’ despite being in the United Kingdom, and so the only way they could bypass that is by going for a permanent deal for ‘phenomenal’ Neil.Downie said: “We told you on Friday that Rangers had enquired over his availability. However, there is a bit of an issue there for Sunderland allowing players to go out on loan to clubs internationally. “They already have six players loaned out, so if he was to go to Rangers, it would have to be on a permanent deal. That would be more likely, due to the fact that his contract is up at the end of the season anyway. Further to that, there is interest from FC Koln over in Germany and a long-standing interest from West Ham United.
