Rangers have approached Chelsea over a loan move for Leo Castledine after the youngster signed a contract extension last year, according to Football Scotland.
The outlet report via their website on 7 August that the Light Blues are looking to take the nearly 19-year-old for the upcoming campaign, but there is competition for his signature.
The midfielder is considered one of the “most promising” talents at Stamford Bridge and Rangers want to include an option to by.
However this may be a sticking point as the Premier League giants are more open to a straight loan deal.
Rangers want Leo Castledine on loan-to-buy deal
Philippe Clement has already added a talented youngster to his central midfield grouping in ex-Aberdeen ace Connor Barron.
The 21-year-old has started both matches so far this season and was the only new arrival in the XI at Tynecastle on 3 August.
There have also been links to Motherwell talent Lennon Miller who the club have been scouting during preseason [Football Scotland, 10 July].
But Castledine could also be a candidate to fill the gap at number 10 where the likes of Todd Cantwell and Ianis Hagi on the way out of Ibrox [Digi Sport, 26 July].
Tom Lawrence has often been the preferred option for Clement behind the striker but has not always had a major impact.
The manager was thought to be looking to add experience to his squad after a group of youthful signings earlier in the summer, and has belated brought in Vaclav Cerny and Robin Propper.
But Castledine would be a return to the previous aim of securing up-and-coming talent with a potential view to a transfer profit in future if eventually signed permanently, as with Mohamed Diomande and Oscar Cortes.
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