Michael Beale believes he has got a free transfer over the line to take Dujon Sterling to Glasgow instead of Stoke City.
Beale tried to sign Sterling from Chelsea at QPR last summer but, after an injury derailed that plan, the defender ended up moving to Stoke in the final week of the window.
It was a season interrupted by injury but Sterling found fitness and some consistent form post-January to make sure he would have been near the top of Alex Neil's shopping list.
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Instead, Beale, now at Rangers, has cut in and sealed the deal with an 800-mile round trip to meet him in person over the weekend. The move, to be completed with no fee when Sterling comes to the end of his Chelsea contract next month, is expected to be confirmed later this week.
Our colleagues at Football.Scotland report: "Sterling is to be announced as Rangers' newest recruit this week after Beale met the player in London. It is understood a deal had already been thrashed out between the club and the defender's representatives and now that the manager has met him in person for the final time, the switch can move forward.
"Sterling was given a tour of Auchenhowie earlier this month as Gers looked to secure his services and it is understood the confirmation of his pre-contract signing will be rubber-stamped and unveiled officially this week.
"He faces a tough task to establish himself straight away with captain James Tavernier still number one choice in his position but he could prove versatile in the centre of defence if need be."
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