Rangers transfer hijack ON as Steven Gerrard contacts Derby boss Frank Lampard over deal

The Daily Record claim that Gerrard has been in contact with his former England colleague about landing the Derby County left-back on loan for next season.

Lowe has enjoyed a strong season on loan with Aberdeen, making 28 Scottish Premiership appearances and contributing two goals and two assists.

And Rangers boss Gerrard is weighing up a surprise deal to take Lowe before the Dons can agree a deal with Derby to extend his spell at Pittodrie. 

The Daily Record say that Derek McInnes has been in conversation with Derby – who secured their spot in England’s Championship play-off final against Aston Villa this week – about keeping Lowe at the club for another year.

The Dons manager said recently: “ If we get any encouragement from Derby that Max could be here next season then that is something we would be eager to look at.

“It is one of the options. Derby need to decide what they want to do with Max first. Derby hold the cards on that.”

Derby boss Lampard is thought to rate the player highly and does not want to allow the 22-year-old to depart Pride Park permanently, having signed him to a new contract before sanctioning his loan departure last summer.

But he could be swayed into allowing Lowe to enjoy another season in Scotland, with Scott Malone having been his first-choice left-back for much of this season.

A source told the Daily Record: “Derby have made it clear they are not prepared to sell Max this summer but they may well see the sense in another loan deal.

“Max has enjoyed working under Derek this season. But now Rangers are also involved so it’s becoming quite complicated.”

Lowe declared himself he would be open to staying at Aberdeen recently.

He said: “There’s always a chance and I’m not going to rule it out. I’ve said that I’ve loved my time up here so who knows? To be fair, the gaffer has said that we need to get through the last games before we can have a chat.

“I respect him highly. He’s done a lot for my career. It’s something to be thought about. Wherever I’m going to be after the summer, I want to be playing. I’m at an age where I need to be playing games.

“This is my first season playing 30-plus games and I feel like I’ve benefitted massively from that. Even the games I’ve not played well in I’ve come away thinking that there are a lot of things I can improve on. I feel like I have done. Wherever I am in pre-season, I want to be playing.

On the competition for places at Derby, Lowe explained: “I think what ever happens in the playoffs they’ll still have a big squad. They’ve got a lot of left-backs on high money. 

“I’m not really sure how their results will affect my situation. It could go either way. To be honest, I actually don’t know.”

Jon Flanagan has been installed as Rangers’ first choice left-back of late with Lee Wallace expected to leave the club this summer and Borna Barisic having struggled with injuries for the Light Blues.

source: express.co.uk