Rangers are actively considering a move to bring Nathan Patterson back to Ibrox, four and a half years after the club sold the right-back to Everton for £14 million. The potential return of the 24-year-old Scotland international has emerged as one of the more intriguing transfer stories of the summer window, with discussions already underway behind the scenes as Everton look to reshape their squad.
Since leaving Glasgow in January 2022, Patterson’s time on Merseyside has been defined by frustration and setbacks. The once highly rated full-back has endured a nightmare run with injuries, most notably a series of groin problems that completely wrecked his 2025/26 season. Across the entire campaign he managed just seven Premier League appearances, a statistic that underlines how limited his opportunities have been. It has become the recurring theme of his Everton career: fragmented form, constant physical interruptions, and precious little consistent time on the pitch.
Everton Open to Business as Bundesliga Clubs Circle
Unsurprisingly, Everton are now open to selling the player. With his contract running until June 2027 and his current market valuation sitting around the €10 million mark, the Toffees are prepared to listen to offers. However, Rangers will not have a clear or uncontested path to his signature. Several Bundesliga clubs have been keeping close tabs on the full-back in recent weeks, sensing an opportunity to secure a player who still carries significant upside if his fitness issues can be managed.
The interest from Germany is particularly noteworthy. Bundesliga medical departments are generally cautious when it comes to players with long injury histories. The fact that clubs from one of Europe’s top leagues are still prepared to monitor Patterson closely suggests that his physical problems may be viewed as manageable rather than career-threatening. That assessment could prove crucial in determining both the level of competition Rangers face and the eventual structure of any deal.
Does a Return to Ibrox Make Sense?
On paper, the case for Rangers moving for Patterson is straightforward. The club need a right-back. That part of the equation is simple enough. The real question is whether the player still fits the profile of what the current coaching staff are trying to build at Ibrox. Patterson did enough this summer to earn a Scotland call-up for the World Cup, a reminder that the underlying quality and athletic attributes that first made him a standout talent are still present when his body cooperates. Yet international friendlies and tournament preparation are a world away from the weekly demands of the Scottish Premiership and the intensity of Europa League group-stage football.
There is no doubt that Patterson possesses the pace, athleticism and attacking instincts that once marked him out as one of the most exciting young full-backs in British football. Those attributes do not simply disappear overnight. The talent remains, but it has been buried under four years of frustration, rehabilitation and limited match sharpness. Any return to Rangers would therefore represent a calculated risk rather than a straightforward homecoming.
Financial Reality and Deal Structure
From a financial perspective, the move only makes sense for Rangers under very specific conditions. Paying anything close to £5 million or more for a player who featured in just seven league matches last season would be regarded by many as a foolish gamble. The club cannot afford to tie up significant resources in a permanent transfer without stronger guarantees over the player’s physical durability. A pure permanent deal at the current valuation would carry too much risk.
However, a structured agreement changes the picture entirely. A loan move with an option to buy would allow Rangers to assess Patterson over a six-month period. It would give the player the chance to prove that his groin and related issues are firmly behind him while giving the club a low-risk pathway to a permanent signing if he stays fit and performs. That kind of arrangement protects Rangers from overcommitting while still offering Patterson a genuine opportunity to restart his career in familiar surroundings.
Smart Business or Risky Gamble?
If Rangers can negotiate the right structure, they stand to gain an international-quality full-back who still has the tools to make a significant impact. The environment at Ibrox, the knowledge of the club, and the reduced physical demands of the Scottish league compared with the Premier League could all work in his favour. Supporters who remember the energetic, driving performances he produced before his departure will be hoping that a return home helps unlock the potential that once made him one of the most talked-about young players in the country.
On the other hand, if the club rush into a heavy permanent fee without sufficient medical assurances or performance-related clauses, they risk taking a punt they can ill afford. The history of players returning from long-term injury struggles is mixed, and Rangers have little margin for error in the transfer market this summer. Getting the structure of any deal right will therefore be just as important as the decision to pursue the player in the first place.
As of July 25, 2026, the situation remains fluid. Everton are open to offers, Bundesliga clubs are monitoring developments, and Rangers are carefully weighing whether a return for Nathan Patterson represents smart business or an unnecessary gamble. What is clear is that the former Ibrox favourite still has the ability to attract interest despite his injury-hit years on Merseyside. Whether that interest ultimately leads him back to Glasgow will depend on medical assessments, financial structure, and how much risk the Rangers hierarchy are prepared to accept.
For now, the story continues to develop. One thing is certain: if Patterson does walk back through the doors at Ibrox, it will be one of the more emotionally charged transfer stories of the summer — a prodigal son returning with unfinished business, and a club hoping the talent they once sold still has plenty left to give.