Report: Rangers battling Hibernian and five English clubs for Charlton Athletic powerhouse defender Patrick Bauer

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Charlton Athletic face a battle to keep hold of Wembley hero Patrick Bauer. According to The Lancashire Telegraph, several clubs, including Rangers, want Bauer this summer.

Bauer scored Charlton’s winning goal at Wembley in the League One play-off final with just seconds remaining to secure their return to the Championship.

But his contract at The Valley expires this summer. The Addicks desperately want to keep the towering and physical centre-half but he has plenty of other options.

Two Scottish clubs want Bauer. Rangers need at least one new centre-back this summer with Gareth McAuley and Joe Worrall leaving. But they face competition from Hibernian.

Steven Gerrard has been weighing up his options and Oldham Athletic’s George Edmundson is another option (Daily Mail). But the Gers could turn their attention to Bauer.

Rangers would need to beat five English clubs (as well as Charlton and Hibs) if they are to sign the German powerhouse.

Blackburn Rovers, Hull City, Preston North End, Queens Park Rangers and Wigan Athletic have also been linked with Bauer.

All six English clubs (including Charlton) can offer the 26-year-old Championship football. He might favour a stay in South London; he has played 135 times for Charlton since his 2015 move from Maritimo.

But if he fancies a new challenge, perhaps Gerrard could tempt him as part of his project at Ibrox.