The defender is wanted by the Glasgow giants on loan - while the Premier League side are pushing for a permanent deal
07:33, 18 Jun 2025
(Image: AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Rangers have an unseen connection with Max Aarons they can tap into to give a move from Bournemouth a jolt.
Russell Martin is keen on bringing the right-back to the Scottish Premiership this summer with the start of pre-season just around the corner.
Reports suggest that Rangers would prefer a loan deal for 25-year-old - but the Premier League side are pushing for a permanent exit for the defender following his temporary stint at Valencia last term.
But with the deal deadlocked, boss Martin could turn to assistant Matt Gill to move a deal along.
Gill - who has also worked with the new Light Blues' boss at Swansea and MK Dons - previously coached Aarons in the youth set-up at Norwich City.
In a previous interview with The Athletic, Aarons credits Gill with keeping his career alive after he was released by Luton as a kid.
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He said: "After a year out, my dad started to sow seeds of calling clubs again. It coincided with a tournament in Latvia, so I joined Norwich for that.
"That was when I first met Matt Gill, who was under-16s coach. Fergal Hale-Brown and Alan Fleming — two of my best friends at that point — were there too after also leaving Luton.
"I came over and immediately loved it. Gilly as coach, friends around me, Jamal (Lewis, former teammate) was there too. It felt perfect."
Aarons signed for Bournemouth for £7million from the Canaries in 2023 - with the Daily Mail reporting that Valencia turned down a £7.5million option to buy the defender after his La Liga stint.
It is expected a similar fee will be demanded of Rangers if Aarons is to arrive permanently - with The Times stating the south coast side are looking to "recoup" the fee they paid two years ago.
Alexandro Bernabei and Norwich's Max Aarons
But former Norwich teammate Michael McGovern reckons he could be worth even more - if he impresses at Rangers.
He told The Sun: "Max went for £7million in the end (to Bournemouth), but at that stage he only had a year left on his contract at Norwich.
"I'm pretty sure there were offers in previous seasons of a lot more than £7million. If he goes to Rangers, they are signing a player who still has a lot of potential.
"That's obvious given Max has moved for £7million and his club knocked back even bigger offers previously.
"He has maybe lost his way a little bit in the last year or two ? but that's because he hasn't played so much football.
"Clubs in Scotland probably wouldn't get a player with as much potential if the circumstances were different.
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"But Rangers would be getting a player who just needs someone to show belief in him. If they do that with Max, I'm sure he will repay their faith with some top-quality performances."
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