Source: Team_Talk
Gers and Clarets open Eagles talks
Rangers have begun talks with Burnley as the Scottish Premier League champions bid to make Chris Eagles their first signing of the summer.[LNB] The Championship club confirmed on Wednesday they have received a "formal approach" from the Gers for the winger.[LNB]The 24-year-old joined Burnley from Manchester United in 2008 and has a year left on his current contract at Turf Moor.[LNB]Reports suggest he would cost the Ibrox side around £1.3million, with Rangers set to earn £2million from the sale of Kevin Thomson to Middlesbrough.[LNB]A statement from Burnley read: "Burnley Football Club can confirm it has received a formal approach from Scottish Premier League champions Rangers for winger Chris Eagles, who has just 12 months remaining on his current contract at Turf Moor.[LNB]"The two clubs are now in negotiations."[LNB]Meanwhile, Rangers chairman Alastair Johnston insists the sale of Thomson was Walter Smith's decision and claims the manager has not been forced to off-load players.[LNB]The Ibrox midfielder is set to sign for Middlesbrough after both clubs agreed a fee.[LNB]Johnston claims Smith was not under pressure to drive down the club's debts and says the veteran boss, along with chief executive Martin Bain, sanctioned the potential move.[LNB]He told the Evening Times: "The decision on who stays and who goes at Rangers definitely rests with the manager. It is not being imposed upon him by the board at all.[LNB]"Martin and Walter did it together. They made the decision and it was entirely consistent with what the board would have expected them to do.[LNB]"For the board or myself to impose our own opinions on things would not be very constructive for the operation of the club.[LNB]"Everybody is aware of the ramifications of who is going and who may come in - it is carefully thought out, it's not spontaneous."[LNB]Several players have departed Ibrox since the end of last season, with Smith yet to make any acquisitions in the transfer market.[LNB]Johnston added: "We are not in a race to spend more than the competition. We want to be smarter about it, but there is money available. It is not just automatic that if you have got money you go and get a player tomorrow."[LNB]
