Russell Martin, having stepped into the managerial role, is expected to strengthen his defensive line. With Leon Balogun gone and uncertainty surrounding Robin Propper, options are limited — John Souttar is a consistent presence, while Clinton Nsiala, who arrived from AC Milan last year, is still developing. One name under consideration is Conor Coady, currently on the books at Leicester City.
Coady has a previous connection with Rangers’ new sporting director, Kevin Thelwell, who worked with him at Wolves and later brought him to Everton on loan. According to Sky Sports, “Rangers have approached Leicester over a deal for Conor Coady. There has been interest from elsewhere, including Coady’s former club Wolves. The Scottish club are very keen to strike a deal to sign the centre-back. Coady is one of a number of players Leicester are willing to sell this summer after relegation to the Championship.”
Rangers can offer European football and likely more chances at silverware, while Wolves — where Coady spent eight years — could appeal emotionally. He joined Leicester after Everton chose not to make his loan permanent.
Reflecting on his Wolves departure, Coady told The Telegraph: “I had a big think in the summer and didn’t feel it was right to go back there. Not just for myself, but for the club as well. I just felt they were on a new path. They were onto a new way of doing things, and I said that to them. They understood it as much as me, I’ll always have that connection because I love the place to bits. Eight years is a long time in football and not many players do that. To have this opportunity to come to Leicester, with the players they’ve got, I didn’t want to turn that down.”
His feelings were clearly reciprocated. Upon his departure, Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs said: “I’d like to place on record our thanks to Conor for the incredible years of service he’s given to the football club – he’s been a brilliant footballer and above all a brilliant person, on and off the pitch. He’s helped drive the club forward as captain, leading us into the Premier League and then European football, and had incredible pride every time he represented Wolves. While this move works for all parties, we’re letting Conor go with a heavy heart. He has given so much to Wolves over the years and will forever be remembered in the club’s proud history.”
