A familiar Rangers name is back in the transfer conversation, but not in a way that points toward a return to Ibrox. According to Fabrizio Romano, Italian side Genoa are exploring a loan deal for Nathan Patterson from English Premier League side Everton, dependent on the Italian side first moving on English former Arsenal defender Brooke Norton-Cuffy before the deadline.
Patterson’s situation on Merseyside has been one of stalled momentum. Since joining Everton in January 2022 in a high-profile move from Rangers, the right-back has struggled to secure a consistent starting berth.
Injuries, positional competition and several managerial changes have interrupted his rhythm, and at 24 he now finds himself at a career crossroads.
Despite four years at the club, he has made only 66 appearances for the Toffees, a modest return for a player once seen as one of Scotland’s brightest defensive prospects.
There had been whispers of Rangers exploring a loan reunion earlier in the season, but the practicalities at Ibrox made that route unlikely.
With James Tavernier still the established first-choice right-back, Max Aarons providing additional depth, and Dujon Sterling also at Ibrox there was little room, or need, for another specialist in that position.
Patterson’s Rangers story remains a positive one in development terms. He made his debut in January 2020 in the Scottish Cup against Stranraer and went on to feature 27 times for the club, scoring twice.
Under Steven Gerrard and later Giovanni van Bronckhorst, he showed flashes of attacking thrust and defensive aggression that helped earn him a rotational place in the 2020/21 title-winning squad.
That promise ultimately secured Rangers a significant fee when Everton came calling.
However, his trajectory since has been less linear. Limited minutes and the stop-start nature of his appearances have made it difficult for him to build sustained form.
A move to Genoa, should it materialise, would represent a chance to reset in a new tactical environment and gain the regular game time that has eluded him in England.
For Rangers supporters, Patterson’s name still carries goodwill, but the current squad composition means a reunion was always more sentimental than strategic. As things stand, his next step looks more likely to be in Serie A than back in Govan.