View From The Sphere

Rangers want Kyle Bartley for keeps, but should Arsenal sell?

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Rangers have confirmed they are interested in bringing back Arsenal’s Kyle Bartley to Ibrox on a permanent basis next season.

Reports suggest that the Glasgow club will be given a huge cash-injection if Craig Whyte’s takeover bid goes through, which has left Walter Smith, who will leave his post as Rangers manager later on this month, helping Ally McCoist assemble a summer wish-list.

One of those names supposedly on that list is Bartley. The 19-year-old made a big impression at the Scottish club during his two-month loan spell, but his stay was unfortunately cut short after suffering medial knee ligament damage.

It is believed that the young centre-back would be keen on a move back to Rangers, and it has been recently revealed that Smith would love to acquire the England Under-17 international as a parting gift for the club.

Rangers first-team coach, Kenny McDowall, was quoted in the Daily Express today saying:

‘Walter is going to contact Arsene Wenger and ask the question. We’d love to have the big fella back as it’s no secret he came up here, fitted in well and enjoyed himself. He’s a top player.’

Bartley managed to appear 7 times for Rangers, during which he netted his first senior goal in his career.

Bartley has been on Arsenal’s books since 2007, but has only managed to record just one appearance for the North London club. Nonetheless, the tall defender is highly rated amongst the club’s staff and a majority of Arsenal fans, so whether Wenger is actually ready to sell Bartley rather than loan him out next season remains to be seen.

However, with the emergence of Ignasi Miquel, the performances of Johan Djourou and Laurent Koscielny, and the possibility of Wenger adding to his back-line this summer, Bartley may look to depart the North London club in order to stamp his mark on the football scene.

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6 comments

  • Michael Smith says:

    In our latest look at the fortunes of professional soccer Manchester United is once again on top, the most valuable franchise in football, and in all of professional sports, at $1.86 billion. Number two? Real Madrid with a value of $1.4 billion. Arsenal, at $1.19 billion is number three.

  • wayne says:

    I thought this was about Bartley , anyways I would’ve like to see him break though to the 1st team but he would be 5th choice unless we sell the squid , at least let him go on loan until we get a CB injury.

  • Lennox says:

    Nevever the guy is 6’4 and strong,the next sol campbel if u asked me.

  • eat dirt says:

    what sol campbell are you talking about? the sol now or when he was at Arsenal? lol

  • WC says:

    I would like to give Kyle at least a season at Arsenal to try to break through. He’s a very tall and aggressive defender, which we need. Add to that he was at Rangers – the kings of defending.

    I could see Kyle being out Vidic with the way he plays. He certainly can’t be worse that Squiddy.

  • Tree says:

    I don’t really know too much about this player but I have heard he has played well for Rangers. I personally would not sell him but loan him out again. If he does well he could get his chance to break into the team the following season.

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