RANGERS will face competition from a host of English clubs if they look to strike a deal for Oldham defender George Edmundson.

Boss Steven Gerrard is searching for defensive reinforcements ahead of the new campaign and has targeted highly-rated Edmundson.

The 21-year-old has been north of the border for a tour of the Hummel Training Centre and could command a fee of around £450,000

Edmundson has been linked with the likes of Preston North End, Stoke and Sunderland in recent times, while Hull saw a six-figure bid rejected by the Boundary Park board earlier this month.

He worked under Gerrard’s former England team-mate Paul Scholes during his short stint in charge of the Latics this term and was named in the League Two Team of the Year as he made 54 appearances during an impressive campaign that saw him bolster his reputation in the game.

Now Rangers could attempt to strike a deal to bring the stopper to Ibrox this summer as Gerrard gears up for the Europa League qualifying campaign and another crack at the Premiership title next term.