FC Utrecht have pulled away from negotiations with Rangers for striker Sam Lammers, turning their attention to other targets.
That’s according to De Telegraaf, who report that Utrecht’s attempts to secure Lammers on a permanent basis from Philippe Clement’s side have proven to be unsuccessful.
They explain that the Dutch club had been in ‘intensive’ contact with those in charge at Ibrox over a deal for Lammers, who spent the second half of least season on loan at the club from Rangers.
There was a desire to see if there was an option to keep the loanee but they ultimately received no response from Rangers over the matter.
He’s currently at Standard Liège and spent the second half of last season on loan at Hull City but is expected to be made available on loan again this summer.
Their interest in Lammers now appears to be waning, with the club having long felt a deal may be difficult to get done anyway.
While Lammers is not a part of Philippe Clement’s squad or plans, the fact Rangers paid €4.1m for him last summer and that he has a very ‘un-Dutch salary’ at Ibrox had made the chances of a successful deal happening low.
The loan spell last season had led to some optimism, but Rangers have now made it clear that a new loan is not possible, not with the terms Utrecht would want anyway.
That’s disappointing for Lammers, who had expressed his desire to stay in the Netherlands but may need to find an alternative option if he wants to leave Ibrox permanently this summer.
