Ole Gunnar Solskjaer targets star he coached at Man Utd as first Besiktas signing

Former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is eyeing up a reunion with ex-United youngster Tom Lawrence, it has been claimed.

Solskjaer has taken over at Turkish side Besiktas, bringing to an end a three-year spell out of management. The Norwegian, who was dismissed by United in November 2021, has been tasked with lifting the Istanbul outfit back into the European spots in the Super Lig.

Long before his spell as United's first-team manager, Solskjaer worked with the Premier League club's academy and reserve sides. It was there that he coached Lawrence, who went on to make his Premier League debut under interim boss Ryan Giggs in 2014.

A Welsh international, Lawrence has been on the books of Rangers since the summer of 2022. His contract is due to expire at the end of the season, though, and Solskjaer could be ready to pounce.

According to The Mail, Besiktas aren't the only ones exploring a free transfer for Lawrence, 31. Premier League strugglers Ipswich are also in the mix, as are Championship sides Burnley and Sheffield United.

Lawrence has scored five times in 15 outings for Rangers this season. Two of those strikes came in the Europa League, including the opener in a 4-0 victory over FCSB.

He hasn't featured since November, though, with his last European outing coming in that FCSB game. An exit for Lawrence could free up space for Gers boss Philippe Clement to make January additions, though the club have already confirmed a deal for Portuguese defender Rafael Fernandes.

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"I am really pleased to welcome Rafael to the squad," Clement said after landing Fernandes on loan from Lillle. "He is a young defender who brings with him a lot of qualities which will be an asset for our team for the remainder of this season."

If Rangers' busy January continues with a Besiktas move for Lawrence, it could mark Solskjaer's first deal since taking over. The former Manchester United manager has agreed a contract running until the end of the 2025-26 season, with an option for a further year.

Solskjaer already has former Premier League players including Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gabriel Paulista in his squad. However, Besiktas are some way off the pace in the Super Lig and are in danger of dropping out of the Europa League.

With six points from as many games in Europe, they need results from meetings with Athletic Club and Twente this month to clinch a play-off place. Rangers, in contrast, remain in contention to secure a top-eight finish in the league phase and proceed directly to the round of 16.

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