Rangers are reportedly one of three teams interested in signing Sunderland's Ross Stewart.
The recent Scotland call-up, 25, signed for the Black Cats in January 2021 from Ross County.
And such was his impact on Wearside he earned the nickname 'Loch Ness Drogba'.
But more importantly he has 22 League One goals this season and with big teams circling appears destined for a move to a higher league – even if Sunderland do not win promotion.
Despite Stewart's goals they remain sixth in the table and are in danger of missing out on the play-off spots altogether when at one point this season they looked likely to finish in an automatic promotion slot.
Stewart has just one year left on his Stadium of Light deal after this season but given what's at stake in the final months of the season manager Alex Neil isn't keen to discuss contracts until Sunderland's fate is known.
But the Northern Echo claim Rangers are interested in taking him back across the border.
If they were to launch a bid to sign him they may face competition from current Premier League side Norwich City and Championship side Swansea City.
Ahead of Friday's match at home to Shrewsbury, Neil said: "Ross has done really well for us, but the simple fact is that if we can continue to make progress and get ourselves out of this league, then naturally players will want to be here and play here.
"It really is as simple as that.
"The simple fact is that he’s our contracted player. He’s done well, but he’s done well because he’s been given a chance at this club. I’m sure he’ll be respectful of that as well.
"But I’m not going into the remaining games worrying that if I don’t win them, or we don’t win them, then Ross might see his future elsewhere. I don’t think about that with any of the players, it doesn’t even cross my mind at the moment."
