EVERTON will get a clear run at signing Rangers right-back Nathan Patterson in the next transfer window as rivals Liverpool won’t bid.
Rafa Benitez could not agree a fee last month.
Then the 19-year-old was sidelined by illness.
Rangers want over £10million and Toffees are willing to pay.
Gers boss and Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard branded Everton ‘jokers’ after tabling a £5m bid for the Scotland international.
Stevie G said: “That’s definitely come out of a joke book, surely.
“We want to keep our best players, especially our home-grown and local ones.
“He’s not someone we’re looking to move on, but every single person has got a number.
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“But let me tell you now, £5m is so far away it’s unreal.”
Patterson, under contract until 2024, was given a Scotland debut by Steve Clarke in the June friendly win against Luxembourg.
He then came off the bench in the Euro 2020 defeat to Croatia at Hampden a fortnight later.
Patterson is rated one of the brightest prospects in British football and has been carefully managed by Gerrard.
