If you put Arnaud Bodart up against Rangers custodian Jack Butland, there’s probably no contest.
The 31-year-old Ibrox goalkeeper has been a revelation this season with his remarkable shot-stopping skills and command of the 18-yard area, keeping the Rangers in the treble race.
Rangers’ custodian Jack Butland has been chosen to the PFA Team of the Year, demonstrating his exceptional performance.
Arnaud Bodart of Standard Liege is a lesser-known player with a lower pedigree than the Rangers’ custodian.
However, according to the most recent sources from Belgium, the 26-year-old custodian might have a significant impact on the future of the Rangers’ present number one.
Bodart ‘beckons’ for Bears
You might recall Arnaud Bodart being linked to Rangers earlier this season.
According to reports in Belgium, the Germans were among several interested parties in acquiring the Standard stopper.
After a Belgian writer refuted the accusations, Rangers regained confidence in Jack Butland.
Until now.
According to Voetbal Belgie, Rangers are actively seeking to sign Arnaud Bodart.
According to the article, Standard hope to regain up to €4 million (£3.4 million) for their current number one player by transferring him to Rangers this summer.
The report describes Bodart’s departure from Standard as a ‘dream’ transfer, with Rangers the most likely destination.
Ligue 1 Strasbourg, who is contracted to the Belgian side until 2025, have been identified as long-term suitors, while Old Firm rivals Celtic and Premier League Luton Town are also apparently interested.
| Jack Butland Premiership stats 23/24 | Arnaud Bodart Pro League stats 23/24 | |
| Appearances | 33 | 34 |
| Goals conceded | 23 | 46 |
| Clean sheets | 18 | 7 |
| FotMob rating | 6.91 | 7.11 |
| Saves (%) | 64 (73.6%) | 114 (71.2%) |
| Error led to goal | 0 | 1 |
| Pass accuracy | 78.5% | 64% |
| Goals prevented | 2.53 | 1.47 |
| Acted as sweeper | 7 | 12 |
| High claims | 16 | 35 |
Butland bound to beat it from Ibrox?
What does this signify for Jack Butland?
Rangers are unlikely to sign all three goalkeepers because to Robby McCrorie’s presence in their team.
With Jon McLaughlin set to leave the club in the summer, Ibrox Academy prodigy Kieran Wright is expected to fill the third position in the team.
So, if this claim is correct – and we’ve seen Rangers transfer reports peter out in the past – it appears that change is on the way in the goalkeeping position this summer.
It would also seem weird for Rangers to invest more than £3 million on Arnaud Bodart when Jack Butland is clearly the best custodian in the league.
Rangers may face bids for the England hopeful this summer, given Nottingham Forest’s interest in him in January.
If that’s the case, a move for Arnaud Bodart could make sense on several levels.
Bodart is a former teammate of another Belgian great Nicolas Raskin. Rangers manager Philippe Clement does not seek a ‘Belgian colony’, but his backroom staff has an increasingly Flemish flavour.
Rangers have also consistently gone to the Pro League to improve their roster in previous seasons.
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